Stoptober – Can 28 days really help you quit smoking?
Written By Isaac Ouro-Gnao
We’re midway through Stoptober, the month of anti-smoking posters, determined quitters, and plentiful savings. "The benefits of stopping smoking are almost immediate. Quitters will soon see reduced blood pressure, easier breathing and better circulation," says Professor Kevin Fenton from Public Health England. But does a month of going cold turkey really work? 10 million adults smoke Supporting the Stoptober campaign is Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies, who believes quitting smoking is the “best thing a person can do for their health”. She says: "Smoking is still our biggest preventable killer. 80,000 people die a year in England because of smoking, and so stopping smoking is the single best thing a person can do for their health. "Why not join the thousands of people all across the country who are quitting at the same time during Stoptober, maximising their chances of getting through 28 days smoke free." There are around 10 million adult smokers in the UK According to public health charity Action on Smoking and Health, ten million adults currently smoke. That’s around 16 per cent of the UK’s population. Over 100,000 smokers still die from smoking-related causes every year in the UK. The 28-day campaign promises that those who take part will be 5 times more likely to quit smoking for good. A person that quits smoking for Stoptober and doesn’t smoke again could gain an extra seven days of life, every 28 days, for the rest of their life. The charity also found that about two-thirds of current smokers say they would like to stop smoking, but only about 35 per cent actually attempt to kick the habit in a given year. “I'm fitter, stronger, and healthier” Naz Mood, a Vibe 107.6 listener, from London, is part of the 35% that try to kick the habit. He says: "I stopped last October. Prior to that stopping smoking was very difficult. I tried several times but 6 months was the maximum." Thousands of smokers try time and time again to quit, however, Naz’s story suggests that those likely to quit smoking or take up the Stoptober challenge are people who have already tried to quit. Naz adds that "craving, mood swings, irritability and constant gnawing hunger" were the problems in slowing his progress. "However, last October, I stopped and have managed to stay off cigs..." he says, "I'm fitter, stronger, and healthier! How? I bought myself a good modular electronic cigarette." Stopping smoking gives the body more energy, and makes getting fit much easier The 28 day trial, however, was a helpful and vital process in getting Naz to quit definitely; and using e-cigarettes, an even stronger deciding factor. E-cigarettes have risen in popularity in 2013, and more and more smokers are using them to help kick the habit. Michelle Ann, an avid Vibe 107.6 listener, from Manchester, is a smoker whom is currently taking on the Stoptober challenge. Just like Naz, she too is using an e-cigarette to help her progress. "[It’s been] 7 days with patches and an electronic cigarette," she says, "It's hard but I'm determined. I've tried several times before, four and a half months being my longest." How useful are e-cigarettes? There’s no mention of e-cigarettes in the Stoptober campaign. What Stoptober offers as support are a free advice pack, as well as a mobile phone app and text support throughout the month. However, the PHE department published a separate report in August which suggests that e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than normal cigarettes. It even goes to say that smokers who have tried unsuccessful methods of quitting could be "encouraged to try e-cigarettes (EC)" to quit, and stop smoking services should "support smokers using EC to quit by offering them behavioural support". There is a growing recognition of smokers using e-cigarettes to give up smoking. Due to this, services are producing advice and support on safe uses of e-cigarettes, and other beneficial alternatives to help stop smoking. Electronic cigarettes could be 100 to 500 times better for your health than smoking tobacco "Taking part in Stoptober offers real health benefits," says Hertfordshire councillor Teresa Heritage. The Cabinet Member for Public Health, Localism and Libraries at Hertfordshire County Council added: "People who stop smoking at any age will see reduced blood pressure, easier breathing and better circulation almost immediately. "And as it is now illegal to smoke in a vehicle if there is a child under 18 present, there's one more reason to give up." It’s also very healthy for the many pockets, wallets and purses out there. On average, most people who quit save around £250 each month. That's nearly £3,000 a year going up in smoke. Vibe 107.6 listener Naz is “saving over 300 pounds a month”, while Michelle is excited by the prospect of a well deserved trip. “With the money I save,” she says “I'm hoping for a winter holiday!” What can be concluded is that 28 days is not necessarily the only window quitters use, but is a set period that adds motivation and begins the process to kick the habit. To sign up to Stoptober and reap the benefits, visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober. To contact your local Stop Smoking Service, text SMOKEFREE to 80818, call 08003893998 or visitwww.hertsdirect.org/stopsmoking.
