Smokers encouraged to quit for Stoptober

During October, smokers in Blackburn with Darwen are being encouraged to quit together as this year’s Stoptober challenge launches.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is supporting the Public Health England campaign in a bid to help local people quit.  This year’s campaign harnesses the talents of some of the country’s best comedians including Paddy McGuinness, Al Murray, Andi Osho and Simon Brodkin who will provide a humorous slant to the campaign’s messages.

Smoking is no laughing matter though and neither is quitting. Stoptober quitters will receive a full range of support to kick the habit for good. Local smokers are also encouraged to get in touch with the Blackburn with Darwen stop smoking service, as research shows you are four times more likely to quit with this extra support than stopping on your own.

One ex-smoker who did just that is Iwona Chudzinsk, 36, who accessed help from the stop smoking clinic at Audley Late Night Pharmacy, Audley Range.

Iwona was determined to quit and with the right support from the pharmacy’s stop smoking advisers Ebrahim Nagdee and Zubair Patel managed to do so, saving over £2,000 each year. She said:

“I am very grateful for all the help and support given to me. I feel much healthier and have been able to make my home a smoke free area.”

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said:

“We want to help as many people as possible like Iwona in Blackburn with Darwen to quit. Stoptober is a great chance to get help to break away from this addiction and start to feel the health and financial benefits of becoming smokefree.”

Stoptober 2014 starts on Wednesday October 1 and runs for 28 days. For further information contact the Blackburn with Darwen Stop Smoking Service on (01254) 587999 or email: quitsmoking@blackburn.gov.uk  T: @BwDStopSmoking or search BwD Stop Smoking on Facebook.

For a list of local stop smoking clinics visit the re:fresh site 

To see the national advert featuring the Stoptober comedians watch the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPaBiQdBFB4