What will you start doing in Stoptober 2021?
Stoptober is back for its 10th mass quit attempt during October 2021, 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.
Over 6 million adults in England still smoke, and it remains the leading cause of premature death, with almost 75,000 preventable deaths a year. A new nationwide survey of 2,000 current smokers 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%)43. 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.
When you take part in Stoptober 2021, you can start:
- Moving better
- Saving money
- To breathe more easily
Why stop in Stoptober 2021?
Stopping smoking can significantly improve your health in ways you might not expect
Physical benefits to Stopping smoking
- 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%
- After 1 year: Risk of heart attack has halved compared to a smoker. And research suggests that people who have quit for a year are happier than those who continue to smoke
- After 10 years: Risk of death from lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
- After 15 years: Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked
Mental health benefits to stopping smoking
Stopping smoking also 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 smoke30
- For symptoms of anxiety and depression, stopping smoking is as effective as taking antidepressants. Just 6 weeks after quitting, people start feeling happier as well as healthier
Financial benefits to stopping smoking
- Over the last ten years the cost of tobacco in the UK has increased by 73.9%
- The average male smoker in Great Britain smokes 9.2 cigarettes a day and the average female smoker 9 cigarettes a day which works out as 276 cigarettes a month for men and 270 for women (based on 30 days in a month)
- For men, that’s £158.15 a month and £1,897.80 a year and for women, that’s £154.71 a month and £1,856.52 a year that could be saved by giving up smoking
- The average smoker can save £1,875.60, a year by quitting smoking
Help to Quit
You do not have to stop smoking alone, there is lots of support available through online resources, peer support, stop smoking services and more Find out about the support you can receive in Stoptober 2021 below:
- Download the free NHS Quit Smoking app to help you quit smoking, start breathing easier, improve your mental health, get moving and save money.
The app allows you to; track your progress, see how much you’re saving and get daily support. Click here to download the app on the App Store, or click here to download from the Google Play Store -
Get your free personal quit plan
Click here and answer 3 easy questions to find the combination of support that’s right for you. -
Read up on stop smoking aids
Click here for information on stop smoking aids which help you manage nicotine cravings and other tobacco withdrawal symptoms. -
Find your local Stop Smoking Service
Click here and enter your postcode to get free expert help from your local Stop Smoking Service and boost your chances of quitting by 3 times. -
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. Click here to sign up for email support. -
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 -
Want to talk to someone?
Call the free National Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044 (England only). Talk to a trained adviser for advice and support. Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 4pm
