Along with colder nights and fallen leaves, October also sees the return of Stoptober, with Wiltshire Council once again backing the annual national stop smoking campaign, to help support locals to quit smoking for good.
In Wiltshire, almost 90% of residents are non-smokers, compared with the national figure that do smoke, which is 12.7% according to the Office for National Statistics. By 2030 there is a national ambition to be smokefree (prevalence of under 5%).
Wiltshire Council's Health Improvement Hub is currently offering, 1-2-1 and group support over 12 weeks with Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), or if interested with quitting with an e-cigarette, residents can get a free device/e-liquids, along with behavioural support, which is available virtually or face to face.
Wiltshire Council's health coaches are also visiting towns in the county to talk to residents about smoking and the ways in which they can support them to stop for good:
- Emery Gate shopping centre - Chippenham - 4 October from 2pm - 4pm
- Calne Library, Calne - 10 October from 11am - 1pm
- Devizes Library - 18 October from 10am - midday
Cabinet Member for Public Health, Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling said: "Smoking inevitably increases the risk of getting a number of serious health issues.
"If you want to make a real go of quitting smoking, a strong support network is key. With all its resources and expert advice, Stoptober is the perfect opportunity to quit for good.
"In Wiltshire, we have a great track record of helping people, and we have less smokers in our county than the national average. So, I ask that people don't put off quitting until tomorrow, now's the time."
Director of Public Health, Kate Blackburn said: "We know stopping smoking can be extremely hard and we have a range of support to help with this. Our health coaches will be out and about in Wiltshire this October offering advice and support and you can ask for support through our hub so you don't have to do this alone."
The Wiltshire Stop Smoking Service offers support in most GP Practices.
Image by Freepik
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