Get help to stop smoking

Nearly a quarter of people in Lancashire smoke – and during October they are being encouraged to get the help they need to give up tobacco for good.
Stoptober schemeStoptober scheme
Stoptober scheme

Nearly a quarter of people in Lancashire smoke – and during October they are being encouraged to get the help they need to give up tobacco for good.

Lancashire County Council is supporting the nationwide Stoptober scheme – and urges anyone wanting to quit to contact their local stop smoking service for advice.

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County Coun. Azhar Ali, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Smoking kills and is one of the biggest causes of ill health in the country.

“In Lancashire it causes 1,600 deaths in adults aged 35 and over each year – so it’s important we do all we can to encourage people to quit.

“The red button is another way of spreading the Stoptober message.

“If you’re a smoker and want to give it up, get in touch with our stop smoking teams – it’s much easier than doing it alone.”

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Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Quit Squad is offering a wide range of support throughout Stoptober and encouraging people to get in touch with them for help and advice.

Tracy Topham, stop smoking service team leader at the trust, said: “We’re really trying to get the message out there that people are five times more likely to quit smoking for good if they do so for 28 days during Stoptober.

“Stopping smoking can significantly reduce the risk of illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes and some cancers.

“People can often smoke for years without realising some of the harm it could be doing to their health which is why we encourage people to get in touch with us even if it’s for an informal chat about the facts or what we can do to help them.”

Anyone wanting to quit smoking can contact the East Lancashire stop smoking service on 0800 328 6297.