Stop Smoking, Start Breathing this Stoptober
Stop smoking this October, and you're up to three times more likely to succeed with expert advice and support.
Did you know that if you can quit smoking for 28 days, you're five times more likely to quit for good?
If you stop smoking for 28 days during October, you will be entered into a prize draw to win a free month's gym, swim and group fitness multi-centre membership with Active Luton. T&Cs apply*.
Stoptober is the perfect opportunity to stop smoking and feel the benefits immediately - in just 20 minutes, your pulse will start returning to normal. Within 48 hours, carbon monoxide levels drop and you’ll notice how your sense of taste and smell significantly improve.
During the pandemic, a nationwide survey showed that of 2,000 smokers, nearly half (45%) had been smoking more since the first lockdown began due to lockdown boredom (43%) and anxiety about COVID-19 (42%).
Over 6 million adults in England still smoke, and it remains the leading cause of premature death, with almost 75,000 preventable deaths a year. The World Health Organisation states there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, which causes more than 1.2 million premature deaths globally per year and serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Most shockingly, almost half of children in the world regularly breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke in public places, and 65,000 die each year from illnesses attributable to second-hand smoke.
Dr Carolyn Kus, Interim Corporate Director for Population Wellbeing, Luton Council, said: “It’s never been a better time to quit. The pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us and affected both our physical and mental health. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and we know people who smoke generally have an increased risk of contracting the respiratory infection and more severe symptoms once infected. Second-hand smoke is harmful for your family and friends; children are especially at risk as they have less well-developed airways, lungs and immune systems.”
When you stop smoking, you will feel your energy levels increase, and breathing will become easier. Take steps to boost your mental health and wellbeing today.
Did you know that smoking also increases anxiety and tension?
Smokers are also more likely than non-smokers to develop depression over time. Evidence suggests the beneficial effect of stopping smoking on symptoms of anxiety and depression can equal that of taking antidepressants.
Not only will you experience physical and emotional health benefits, you will also save money. The NHS has created an app where you can keep track of your progress and your savings to help you stay motivated. Find it on the App Store and Google Play.
It’s never too late to quit smoking and we’re here to support you. Whether you’re giving up for your health, loved ones, or to save money, give yourself the best chance, stop smoking for good, and reach out to our trained specialists.
If you’re a smoker aged 12 or over, our FREE 12-week programme can support you to stop. Throughout the programme, a trained Stop Smoking Specialist will work with you, providing motivation, support, and expert advice on medication*, if required, such as NRT or even E-cigarettes.
Appointment-based clinics run across various locations in Luton, Monday to Friday 8 am-8 pm and at GP surgeries and community pharmacies. We also run clinics on Saturdays.
Support is also available to inpatients at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital and in workplace settings. You can self-refer, or you can speak to a health professional, including your GP.
Quit today and contact Total Wellbeing Luton to self-refer.
Alternatively, text STOPTOBER to 60066
Tel 0300 555 4152
*Competition Terms and conditions:
To enter the prize draw to win a free month’s multi-centre membership, sign up to the Total Wellbeing Luton stop smoking service between 1st and 31st October 2021. To be eligible, you must be a Luton resident (live, work or be registered with a Luton GP) and complete a CO validation test once the four weeks' quit date is reached. 1 winner will be selected at random week commencing 29th November 2021.