Stoptober challenge rolls into Bristol

Smokers in Bristol
are being encouraged to take this year’s Stoptober challenge and go smokefree
during October.

Stoptober, the 28 day quit challenge run by Public Health England, will help
many of the 63,000 smokers in Bristol to kick their habit by providing the
support people need to quit.

Research shows that people are four times more likely to succeed with backing
from a local stop smoking service, so dedicated free support groups will be
starting in mid-September at locations across the city.

Public Health Bristol’s Smokefree advisers and the giant red Stoptober ball
will also be making appearances across the South West throughout September in a
bid to encourage people to quit. This weekend the team will be attending Knowle
West Fest, 12 September, and Avonmouth’s Make Sunday Special event, 13
September.

This year Stoptober coincides with new legislation coming into force which will
make it illegal to smoke in vehicles when children are present. A recent YouGov
poll showed 85% of people in the South West support the new laws which will
protect children from secondhand smoke and the associated health problems such
as asthma, glue ear, headaches, coughs and nausea.

Councillor Daniella Radice, Assistant Mayor for Neighbourhoods with
responsibility for Public Health, said: “Stoptober is a great initiative,
which helps to motivate and support smokers who want to quit. We’re working to
raise awareness about the impact of smoking and provide as much encouragement
and help as possible for people to kick the habit. More and more people are
trying to give up for health and financial reasons, which is fantastic.

“With new laws coming into force around smoking in cars there’s more reason
than ever to quit. In Bristol we’re welcoming the legislation to protect
children from secondhand smoke and supporting smokers to change their behaviour
accordingly.”

There is a range of support available via Stoptober including special advice
packs, mobile apps and motivational text messages. It is a great opportunity to
join with friends and colleagues to all quit together.

Ann Nelson, a local Bristol resident, gave up smoking during Stoptober last
year. She said, “I would thoroughly recommend the local support to stop smoking
service. I know it would have been a lot harder if I was doing it on my own.
This time, it really worked for me and it can for other smokers out there too.”

For more local advice and support contact Smokefree Bristol on 0117 922 2255 or
text READY to 60060. More information and details of support groups in Bristol
can be found at
www.smokefreebristol.com
.