Unhealthy habits be can hard to break and I recently posted my top tips on how to break unhealthy habits by making small lifestyle changes and taking it day by day. I think that we will probably agree that smoking can have a majorly negative impact on our health. Now that October has arrived, it’s the perfect opportunity to try to give your health a boost by quitting smoking with the help of a campaign that I fully support called Stoptober.
Although I don’t smoke myself, a lot of members of my family do and I have seen them trying to quit only to take it up again a few months later. Like us all, I’m well aware of the harmful effects that smoking can have on our body and life expectancy, hence I’m more than keen to support my family to stop smoking. Some are now in the process of quitting and are doing well, but there is always the fear that they may slip back into their old habits again. I think one of the main reasons that many struggle and return to smoking is because they don’t have the support they need to motivate and inspire them.
There are so many positives to quitting smoking aside from the obvious physical health benefits. Let’s face it, feeding a nicotine habit isn’t cheap, especially with the government increasing the tax on cigarettes to help discourage buyers. Just think of all the money you would be saving. For some who smoke a packet a day this could be up to £250 a month and if saved throughout the year this could be an incredible family break away. Also, giving up smoking instantly improves your quality of life with renewed energy to spend more time with your friends and family.
Stoptober is a Public Health England campaign that challenges smokers to give up cigarettes for a period of 28 days during the month of October. Quitting successfully can be up to a 12-week journey, however completing 28 days can make you more likely to succeed. Well are fully backing the movement and are offering a variety of services in their local branches to offer their support:
- Trained members of staff offer advice on nicotine replacement therapies to decide the correct treatment for each person depending on their habits and lifestyle
- Private 1-2-1 consultations with fully trained pharmacy staff in their stores
- Selected stores give a free NHS stop smoking service, helping customers who need sustained smoking cessation expert support, with the option to continue this on a weekly basis
- Quitters can take a carbon monoxide test at the beginning and end of the month in selected stores to track their progress.
A study reported by the NHS has shown that you are more likely to quit smoking with the help of a pharmacist. Stoptober is such an important campaign that can potentially help millions of people up and down the UK, which is why I’m backing it and showing my support.
Are you a smoker? Do you think you could benefit from something like Stoptober? Have you quit smoking? How far are you into your journey?
*Post supported by Well, but all opinions are my own.
Like u I’m not a smoker but I do have family members who smoke Ithink stoptober is a good idea to help encourage others to give up the habit.
I’ve actually stopped smoking this October and I feel so much better already!
Can’t wait to see where I am in a few months 🙂
Dani x
I use to smoke but managed to quit, I did the whole vapes etc but to be honest it was just free will that made me stop! It’s possible and I do hope more try and kick the habit however they can.
I gave up smoking probably 5 years ago now – I still miss it from time to time I have to admit. Good luck to all those trying to quit!
My husband stopped smoking a couple of years ago, after smoking 30 a day for many years. Stopober is such a good idea and the perfect time to quit.
This sounds like a great challenge!
Really informative and it’s a great challenge for those people wanting to quit!
I have seen stoptober all over the place and such a great thing to do x
I an ex smoker, it’s good to have these schemes to help break habits.
I am a smoker but it is something I really want to try and stop. But I am also trying to lose weight and so I don’t want to do too much at the same time, but it is definitely a great campaign xx
I’m not a smoker but I think stoptober is such a great way to get people to cut down or stop smoking x
I’m not a smoker but I think these campaigns are brilliant to boost people quitting xo
It’s great that you are supporting family members to stop smoking. My folks quit nearly ten years ago and feel so much better for it! And richer!!
I’ve never smoked – I honestly can’t stand it. This is such a worthwhile challenge and I’ll be mentioning it to a few smokers I know. It may the 5th October but it’s never to late to start!
It’s good you’ve got support! I’ve never smoked and I’m very glad x
I’ve never smoked but would certainly encourage anyone who does to stop – Stoptober is a fantastic support mechanism I think.
I’m a non-smoker too but I agree, Stoptober is a great way to help those who do smoke, quit – thanks for sharing x
I wish my mother would quite smoking! Maybe I can get her on bored!
I can safely say I have never smoked and would never consider it. Great post though I know a few people that will find this useful x
Although I don’t smoke, I think it is super important to help those who do when they want to quit. I don’t think people know how hard it is!
Stoptoper is such a great idea, I convinced my dad to stop smoking a few years ago and he is so much healthier as a result!
Great post!
L x
I gave up smoking about 10 years ago, but I was smoking about 10-20 a day from the age of 12. Giving up is the best thing I ever did!
I’m not a smoker but my hubby was and h quit about 3 months ago. I’m SOOOOO proud of him for doing it xxx
I have quit twice in the past from just going cold turkey, I would like to give up again at some point but it needs to be when I am ready and don’t have a lot of things going on. Stoptober is a great challenge though and if I was ready to give up it would definitely be one I would take part in x
I don’t smoke either but I have many friends who do and are finding it hard to give it up . This is a great campaign.