This Stoptober, smokers in England are being encouraged to put their lungs first, strengthen their immune system and breathe easier ahead of flu season by joining over 2 million smokers who have made a quit attempt since 2012 with the annual campaign.
Smoking damages the lungs and airways and harms the immune system, leaving us more vulnerable to infections, such as flu. Smokers generally have an increased risk of contracting respiratory infections and experiencing more severe symptoms. Stopping smoking brings immediate benefits to health, including for people with an existing smoking-related disease.
The smoking prevalence among adults in England is at a record low of 13.9% and in East Midlands is 14.8%. This year, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has calculated that in East Midlands 44,000 people stopped smoking during the coronavirus lockdown.
New data published from the UCL Smoking Toolkit Study shows that compared to 2019, the proportion of smokers in England making a quit attempt has increased from 29% to 35%, an increase of almost a quarter. The success rate for quit attempts has risen from 14% to 23%, representing an increase of almost two thirds, the highest in over a decade.
Abby Hunter, Regional Tobacco Manager at Public Health England, East Midlands said: “Now more than ever, we are aware of how important respiratory health is. Given the challenges we face in today’s climate, it’s important that we try to live a healthy lifestyle. Stoptober is an excellent opportunity for people to put down their tobacco and take on the challenge of kicking the habit.
“The East Midlands has seen an impressive 44,000 people quit smoking since the pandemic began. There’s no better time than now to speak to your GP, access your local stop smoking service and give yourself the best chance at protecting yourself against COVID-19 and Flu.”
Leading UK health organisations including ASH, British Lung Foundation, British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK are joining in the call to get smokers in England to give quitting a go this Stoptober.
Professor Jamie Brown, Director of the UCL Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group and co-author of a living rapid evidence review on smoking and COVID-19, said: “Evidence shows that many more smokers are trying to quit in 2020 and the highest numbers are succeeding since at least 2007.
“While the evidence on COVID-19 outcomes for smokers is still developing and remains uncertain, what is clear is that stopping smoking brings rapid improvements in respiratory and cardiovascular health.
“Quitting now will not only benefit people’s individual health and help improve their lung health ahead of flu season, but it will also help to reduce the demands on the healthcare system in these difficult times.”
Stoptober provides the information and support people need to quit smoking for 28 days, based on research that if a smoker can make it to 28 days smokefree, they are five times more likely to quit for good.
This year, Stoptober is offering a range of free support tools for those looking to quit, including digital services that are easily accessible for those looking for online support. These tools include the Stoptober app, Facebook messenger bot and online communities, SMS and daily emails. There is also a Personal Quit Plan that helps people find a combination of stop smoking support that’s right for them, with options including expert support from local Stop Smoking Services, stop smoking aids and digital tools.
Search ‘Stoptober’ now for a full range of quitting support options