Let’s quit smoking together in Stoptober 2025
Stoptober is an annual campaign running every October, which is back in 2025 and calling on England’s smokers to join millions of others who have quit successfully with the campaign.
Over 5 million adults in England still smoke. Smoking causes 75,000 deaths a 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. The good news is, if you quit smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
Going ‘cold turkey’ is still the most common way that people attempt to give up, but quit attempts are successful more often when using quit smoking support.
That’s why this year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to quitting this October by exploring the free support available. We want aspiring quitters to know that we have their back and by taking part in Stoptober, they are more likely to succeed.
There’s a wide range of free quitting tools available, including the NHS Quit Smoking app, the Personal Quit Plan, expert support from local stop smoking services and a Smokefree Facebook support group. There’s also lots of information about aids such as nicotine-free medicines, nicotine replacement therapies and vaping, available at nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking. Together, we can do this.
The benefits to stopping smoking
Not only will you save an average of £49 a week when you quit smoking, but you will also start to feel a range of physical and mental health benefits.
Physical Health Benefits To Stopping Smoking
Stopping smoking can significantly improve your health in ways you might not expect…
- After 20 minutes: Pulse rate starts to return to normal
- After 8 hours: Oxygen levels are recovering and harmful carbon monoxide in the blood is reduced by half
- After 48 hours: The body has flushed out all carbon monoxide, lungs start to clear out mucus and ability to taste and smell is improved
- After 72 hours: Bronchial tubes begin to relax, breathing becomes easier and energy levels increase
- After 2-12 weeks: Blood is pumping to the heart and muscles better because circulation has improved
- After 3-9 months: Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%
Mental Health Benefits To Stopping Smoking
Stopping smoking boosts mental health and wellbeing…
- Evidence shows that once people have got past the short-term withdrawal stage of quitting, they have reduced anxiety, depression and stress, and increased positive mood compared with people who continue to smoke
- For symptoms of anxiety and depression, stopping smoking is an effective as taking antidepressants. Just after 6 weeks of quitting, people start feeling happier as well as healthier.
Support to quit smoking
Stoptober offers a range of free quitting support and advice; take a look below at what you could use to help yourself this October…
Find your online community…
You do not have to do it alone – join others going through the same thing in a friendly and supportive environment.
Click here to join the Quit Smoking Support Group on Facebook.
Get your free personal quit plan…
Answer three easy questions to find the combination of support that’s right for you to get your free personal quit plan.
Click here to get yours today.
Get daily email support…
If you would like some extra support, you can sign up for 28 days of stop smoking advice and tips – delivered straight to your inbox.
Download the NHS Quit Smoking app
Use the NHS Quit Smoking app to help you quit smoking and start breathing easier. The app allows you to:
- track your progress
- see how much you’re savingÂ
- get daily support
Click here to download the app on the Apple App Store.
Click here to download the app on the Google Play Store.
Local Support
If you’re looking for one to one support in your local area to help you stop smoking, Sunderland Stop Smoking Service is here to help. Their team of experts can provide you with the tools, support, and guidance you need to kick the habit for good.
Their stop smoking service is free, friendly and can massively boost your chances of quitting for good. Their 12-week quit programmes are run by expert advisors who provide a range of proven methods to help you quit, including Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Swap to Stop vape support.
Click here to find out more and to reach out to Sunderland Stop Smoking Service.
