Public Health Liverpool, in partnership with Liverpool City Council and Smokefree Liverpool, has launched this year's Stoptober campaign, offering an expanded range of free support services to help residents quit smoking. The initiative aims to reduce smoking rates across the city by highlighting the immediate health and financial benefits of stopping.
The campaign will feature personal stories from former smokers in Liverpool to inspire others. It provides multiple quitting aids, including nicotine replacement therapy and vapes, alongside expert guidance and a financial incentive for participants.
Key Takeaways
- Liverpool's Stoptober campaign offers free, comprehensive support for residents looking to quit smoking.
- Services include one-on-one advice, free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), vapes, and a dedicated mobile app.
- The campaign uses real stories from local people, like a resident who quit after 40 years, to motivate others.
- Participants who stay smoke-free for 28 days can enter a draw to win a £40 shopping voucher.
- Health officials emphasize that quitting for 28 days makes a person five times more likely to stop for good.
City-Wide Effort to Create a Smoke-Free Liverpool
This October, Liverpool is intensifying its efforts to help residents stop smoking through the national Stoptober campaign. Backed by Public Health Liverpool and the City Council, the initiative is being delivered locally by Smokefree Liverpool. The goal is to build on past successes and move closer to making Liverpool a smoke-free city.
A central part of this year's strategy involves sharing the experiences of local people who have successfully quit. These powerful testimonials are designed to resonate with current smokers and show that quitting is achievable, regardless of how long they have smoked or how many times they have tried before.
A Personal Story of Success
One of the stories featured is that of Jason Scott, a 58-year-old resident who stopped smoking after more than four decades. His journey, along with others, will be promoted across social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as well as on Google. The campaign will specifically target communities with higher smoking rates to ensure support reaches those who need it most.
Comprehensive and Free Support Services
Smokefree Liverpool has expanded its support network to provide a wide array of free tools and resources. Officials state that this year offers more options than ever before, ensuring that individuals can find a method that works for them.
The support is tailored to individual needs and is easily accessible. According to the service, anyone looking to quit can access professional help without any cost.
What Support is Available?
Smokefree Liverpool offers a multi-faceted approach to help people quit. The free services include:
- Expert Advice: One-on-one support sessions with trained advisors, available either face-to-face or over the telephone.
- Quitting Aids: Access to free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), such as patches and gum, or prescription medication like Varenicline to manage cravings. A free vape is also offered as an alternative.
- Digital Tools: Use of a dedicated quit-smoking app to track progress and receive motivational support.
- Continuous Guidance: Professional help is provided at every stage of the quitting journey.
Incentives and Health Benefits of Quitting
To provide an extra layer of motivation, the campaign includes a special incentive. Anyone who signs up with Smokefree Liverpool between 22 September and 30 October and successfully remains smoke-free for 28 days will be eligible to win a £40 Love2Shop voucher. To qualify, participants must verify their smoke-free status with a carbon monoxide (CO) reading.
Health experts stress the significance of the 28-day milestone. Statistics show that if a person can abstain from smoking for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit permanently.
Your Health Improvement Timeline
The positive effects of quitting smoking begin almost immediately. Here is a timeline of how the body recovers:
- After 20 minutes: Your pulse rate starts to return to normal.
- After 8 hours: Oxygen levels begin to recover, and harmful carbon monoxide levels in your blood reduce by half.
- After 48 hours: All carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs start to clear mucus, and your sense of taste and smell improve.
- After 72 hours: Breathing becomes noticeably easier as bronchial tubes relax.
- After 2–12 weeks: Your blood circulation improves, making physical activity easier.
In addition to the health benefits, quitting also leads to significant financial savings. According to estimates, a person could save approximately £230 in just 28 days.
A Message of Encouragement from Public Health Leaders
City officials are encouraging every smoker in Liverpool to take part in the campaign. They emphasize that support is crucial and that past failed attempts should not deter anyone from trying again.
"We’ve had huge success over the last couple of decades in reducing smoking rates in Liverpool but we have an ambition to make the city smoke free over the next few years," said Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Public Health. "One of the key things is for people to never quit trying to quit, because eventually, with the right support, they will succeed."
Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable disease and death in the city. The Stoptober campaign is seen as a key public health intervention to address this issue directly.
Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool, added: "Smoking remains one of the biggest causes of preventable illness and death in Liverpool. Stoptober is a fantastic opportunity for people to take that first step towards quitting, and this year we’re making it easier than ever. With free expert support, nicotine replacement options, and inspiring local stories, we want every smoker in Liverpool to know – it’s never too late to quit, and it’s well worth it."
To access the free support, residents can visit the Smokefree Liverpool website or call 01513742535.