Published on: 1 October 2021
Smokers encouraged to take part in Stoptober as they report smoking more during the pandemic
Stoptober is back to launch its 10th mass quit attempt, calling on smokers in England to join the 2.3 million others who have made a quit attempt with the campaign since it launched a decade ago in 2012.
Over 6 million adults in England still smoke, and it remains the leading cause of premature death40, with almost 75,000 preventable deaths a year. A new nationwide survey of 2,000 current smokers released today has found that nearly half (45%) have been smoking more since the first lockdown began.
Key reasons reported are being bored in the lockdowns (43%) or the pandemic making them more anxious (42%).
What’s more, data from the monthly UCL Smoking Toolkit Study indicates a large increase in smoking among the under-35s since the coronavirus pandemic, up from 18% in 2019 to 24% now.
As a result of increased smoking behaviours, this year's Stoptober mass quit attempt is more important than ever, with quitting remaining one of the best things a smoker can do for their health. That’s why this year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to join the thousands of others who are giving quitting a go for the month of October, and getting to experience the benefits of giving up smoking including being able to start moving better, being able to breathe more easily and saving money.
Stoptober offers a range of free quitting tools including: the NHS Quit Smoking app, Facebook messenger bot, Stoptober Facebook online communities, daily emails and SMS, and an online Personal Quit Plan.
The Personal Quit Plan helps people find a combination of support that’s right for them, including expert support from local Stop Smoking Services and stop smoking aids.
For free support and advice for smokers in Medway, visit A Better Medway.