Smokers encouraged to quit as October becomes Stoptober (From This is The West Country)

Smokers encouraged to quit as October becomes Stoptober

5:22pm Monday 17th September 2012 in Devon

SMOKERS are being urged to give up the habit during October as part of a national campaign. Stoptober is the first ever mass quit attempt launched by the Department of Health, which is targeting the nation’s eight million smokers.

Northern Devon Health-care NHS Trust, which manages hospitals in Tiverton and Crediton, is backing the campaign by holding two quit smoking courses throughout October in the hope that smokers from Mid Devon will get on board.

Smokers can receive free specialist advice and support and meet like-minded people interested in stopping.

Greg Price, manager of the Devon Stop Smoking Service, said: “Stoptober is going to give smokers who want to stop an excellent opportunity to try.

“Smokers can just quit for October and see how it feels. We are confident once they've managed a month, people won't want to go back.

“Our specialist support is free and will include access to a Stoptober quitter’s pack, stop smoking medication on prescription and weekly sessions to keep people smoke free.”

The six sessions will take place in Exeter on Monday, September 24, and Monday, October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.

Two of the Trust’s specialist stop smoking advisers in its Health Promotion Devon team will lead them.

The Trust’s advisers have helped 973 smokers give up in the last year and their success rates are among the best in the country, with more than three-quarters of people quitting not lighting up within four weeks.

Weekly stop smoking clinics are held in Tiverton, Cullompton , Crediton and Willand.

Anyone interested in joining the quit smoking sessions in Exeter must sign up in advance.

For more information, call the Devon Stop Smoking Service on 01884-836024 or visit www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk