Let's quit smoking together this Stoptober
Norfolk County Council is encouraging residents who smoke to put down their cigarettes for good this Stoptober, to help them improve their health.
Around 99,000 people smoke in Norfolk, and smoking kills an estimated 1,240 people in our county each year, making it the biggest cause of preventable illness and death. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health.
Working alongside commissioned health partners Reed Wellbeing, which supports people from underserved communities to quit smoking, and Allen Carr's Easyway, which offers a unique approach to stopping smoking for Norfolk residents, the authority is supporting Stoptober, a national campaign running throughout October aiming to empower people to stop smoking entirely.
This year's Stoptober theme is 'Let's quit together'. It's never too late to quit smoking, and there's no need to go on your quit journey alone. You can join thousands of others who are committing to quit this Stoptober, and there is a wide range of support available in Norfolk to suit you.
Councillor Fran Whymark, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Stoptober is with us once again, and evidence shows that you are five times more likely to quit smoking for good if you take part in Stoptober. It is a fantastic opportunity for those who want to make a positive change to their lives and improve their health.
"There are a variety of support services available to suit your lifestyle, from nicotine replacement therapies to round the clock support on the NHS Quit Smoking app. There's never been a better time to start your quit journey."
Sally (60) and Stephen Ward (55) both enrolled in the Smokefree Norfolk programme at Great Yarmouth Town Hall. Sally was motivated by her milestone birthday and a desire to support Stephen, who had battled addiction for decades. Stephen began smoking in 1978 and was consuming up to 70 cigarettes daily by 2025.
Through the programme, Stephen became smoke-free within weeks, supported by Sally, vapes, and regular guidance. He has recently celebrated 12 weeks smoke-free. Sally remains smoke-free, and this month has reached her six-month milestone.
Stephen is optimistic about the future and actively refers others to the service, inspired by the positive impact on his life. He said: "The process was straightforward, the support was fantastic, and it truly helped me stop smoking."
Smokers across the county are being urged to take advantage of the range of smoking support on offer to them, and even if they've tried quitting before, to give it another go this Stoptober. There's a range of services, some of which they might not have tried before, including from Smokefree Norfolk, Allen Carr's Easyway, GPs and pharmacies and the Ready to Change platform. These can include access to free vapes, nicotine replacement therapy, specialist one to one or group support. Residents might also want to sign up to the Ready to Change 30 Day Challenge to help them in your quit smoking journey.
Residents who smoke can visit Norfolk County Council's smoking support webpage where they can explore the range of support services on offer, including the 30-day health challenge through Ready to Change.
