Council hopes Bedford smokers quit cigarettes as part of Stoptober

Stoptober is your chance to join thousands of people around the country who are quitting smoking.

And Bedford Borough Council is throwing its weight behind the campaign.

Throughout this pandemic more than a million people in the UK quit smoking and many more are attempting to quit. Stoptober is a great time to join those that have already quit as we leave summer behind.

The best way to pack up smoking is by using effective products such Nicotine Replacement Therapy or Champix in combination with specialist support from the Stop Smoking Service, according to the council. Together it means you are three times more likely to successfully quit.

Cllr Louise Jackson, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing said, “Quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do to improve your physical and mental health. There are lots of resources and services available locally. If you are thinking about joining the Stoptober campaign, I would urge you to sign up today and join all those people who will be quitting this October.

“There is a belief from many smokers that smoking reduces anxiety and stress, which is in turn causing many smokers to put off quitting. The reality is that instead of helping people to relax, smoking increases anxiety and tension. When smokers light up a cigarette, the feeling of reduced stress or relaxation is temporary and is soon replaced by withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

“It is never too late to benefit from stopping, smoking remains the nation’s biggest killer with half of long-term smokers dying prematurely from a smoking disease.”

Take up the challenge today, download the council's My Quit Route app via your normal app store, referring yourself via here or by calling us on 0800 013 0553.