The annual Stoptober campaign, which is aimed at encouraging smokers to quit, celebrates its tenth year in 2021.
NHS research suggests that is one can break a habit for a period of 28 days, then that person is more likely to quit the habit for good. With the ten-year anniversary of the Stoptober campaign likely to be the biggest yet, the Stop Smoking team at Cheshire Change Hub - which forms part of Brio Leisure’s health and wellbeing arm - is celebrating the success of some of its service users who have managed to kick the habit over the previous 12 months and is rolling out its services with renewed vigour.
Smokers who utilise the Cheshire Change Hub’s Stop Smoking Service benefit from a free 12-week programme which includes access to stop smoking medication and further support, guidance and expertise from a dedicated team of advisors.
74-year-old Mary is one of the Cheshire Change Hub’s notable success stories, and she shared her own message to smokers wishing to quit that it is never too late in life to do so.
Mary said: “I needed to quit for health reasons and was really determined to do it. It’s no good if you are half hearted. I made up my mind that I really wanted to do it and I couldn’t have done it without the support.
“It was a bit of a challenge at the beginning. I was not sure if quitting during a pandemic was the right time for me as I could not keep myself as busy as I would be normally, but I kept telling myself to be positive and remind myself of all the positive things about not smoking.
“I haven’t had a cigarette now in 12 months! The best thing about quitting for me is that I have more disposable income, I am not rich by any means, but I can afford to buy nice clothes now which is lovely. It has all been such a positive experience for me, thank you.”
Ruth Armstrong, the Cheshire Change Hub’s Smoking Cessation Service Lead, added: “Stoptober is always a really exciting time for us at Brio’s Cheshire Change Hub. It’s been incredibly rewarding for the team to go back and revisit people’s successes despite working through a pandemic. We have been in awe of people across Cheshire West and Chester who have made a quit attempt in the last 12 months.
“Most people will know about the health benefits to quitting, but often forget about the financial benefits, with 20 cigarettes a day now costing an average of £3,139 a year is a lot for an individual to fork out for, let alone a family.
“Cheshire Change Hub is here to help throughout the year, but the national 28-day Stoptober challenge is a brilliant opportunity for residents across Cheshire to get increased support.”
The Stop Smoking team at Cheshire Change Hub warmly invites smokers from across Cheshire West and Chester to get in touch if they would like advice on how to quit smoking. For those who have tried unsuccessfully in the past, the hub urges them to make contact to talk through alternative support options.
Appointments with the Cheshire Change Hub are easily accessible, with numerous in-person, online and telephone support options available. As part of the Stoptober 2021 campaign, members of the Stop Smoking team will be present at a number of community venues from September 27 offering free support and carbon monoxide readings.
Readers can find out more about the Cheshire Change Hub and its eligibility criteria by visiting its website or calling 0300 777 0033.
