Quit smoking this ‘Stoptober’ with help from LiveWire

SMOKERS in Warrington are being urged to kick the habit this ‘Stoptober’ – with extra help and support from LiveWire.

Smoking remains the largest cause of preventable death in England, and LiveWire’s stop smoking service provides free specialist stop smoking support and advice to people in the Warrington area.

Quit rates in 2017/18 are the best ever for the service with the prevalence of tobacco users in Warrington (12.8%) well below the national average.

It’s a success the team hopes to build on during the 28-day Stoptober drive with increased support on offer to both the general public and workplaces.

The focus on this year’s Stoptober campaign is making sure all residents and employees are aware of LiveWire’s friendly stop smoking support and advice, which includes telephone support, face to face and online options, as well as requesting stop smoking products be issued via prescription from GPs and information on electronic cigarettes.

A number of public drop-in events have also been held across Warrington to mark Stoptober, with the next being on Tuesday October 9 from 10am-1pm in Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub main foyer, when staff will be on hand to give stop smoking advice and information on ways LiveWire can help.

Ruth Armstrong, Lifestyle Officer, Lead Smoke-Free, said: “LiveWire is here to help throughout the year, but the national 28-day-challenge of Stoptober is a brilliant opportunity for Warrington residents to get increased support to ditch the cigarettes and switch to an alternative – or even quit completely.

“Most people will know about the health benefits to quitting, but often forget about the financial benefits, with 20 cigarettes a day now costing an average of £3,139 a year – which is a lot for an individual to fork out for, let alone a family.

“LiveWire would also like to take the opportunity to thank our partners at WBC Health Inequalities, Warrington CCG, Bridgewater Health, Culture Warrington, Brighter Futures and Warrington Youth Service for their invaluable support with this year’s Stoptober campaign.”

For more information visit www.livewirewarrington.co.uk/stopsmoking or call 0300 003 0818.