Derby City Council is urging smokers to join its free healthy lifestyle service, Livewell, to boost their chance of quitting successfully during Stoptober.

The national campaign is calling on smokers in England to join the 2.5million others who have made a quit attempt with the campaign previously.

Over 5 million adults in England still smoke, with the prevalence highest in the East Midlands (14%), and the rate in Derby at 19.3%. Smoking causes 64,000 deaths a year, making it the biggest cause of preventable illness and death. 

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. That’s why this year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to join the thousands of others who are committing to quitting for the month of October – quit smoking for 28 days and you’re five times more likely to quit for good.  And people who get expert support from local stop smoking services like Livewell are up three times as likely to succeed.

When you stop smoking good things start to happen - quitting will allow you to start moving better, breathe more easily and give you more money to spend. 

Councillor Alison Martin, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care, said:

It’s never too late to stop smoking and you’ll experience improvements to your health as soon as 20 minutes after quitting. Getting the right advice is key - Livewell provides friendly support and tools to help you plan your quit attempt this October.

After 47 years of smoking, Vance Middleton quit nine months ago with Livewell’s support. He’s noticed positive changes to his emphysema symptoms and is urging other smokers in Derby to quit. He said:

I feel better both mentally and physically.  My lung capacity tests are heading in the right direction.  Since quitting I’ve not had any health problems requiring extra medication or needed to visit the doctor with breathing difficulties.

Martin Bolog is celebrating four months smoke free after trying to quit several times before.  The 41-year-old was recently diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and is relieved that quitting is easing his symptoms. He said:

The nicotine patches helped overcome the cravings and my breathing is much easier now I’ve quit.  My advisor, Casey, explained COPD in a way I could understand and gave me lots of encouragement.

Getting the right support and free products makes all the difference. My message is don’t give up on giving up smoking.

Last year, 739 people in Derby quit smoking thanks to Livewell’s free support. As a result, each smoker saved an average of £59 a week, that’s £2.23m in total.

The official Stoptober challenge begins on Tuesday 1 October. However, smokers can quit any time with the help of Livewell, which offers 12 months of free support and stop smoking treatments to Derby residents.

To sign up and book a phone appointment to get started, go to the Livewell website.