Stoptober returns with a new TV campaign to encourage smokers not to quit ‘cold turkey’

Of the 6.1 million smokers in England, six in 10 want to quit but most try to quit using willpower alone (or ‘cold turkey’) despite this being the least effective method. The most successful quit attempts use a combination of effective stop smoking support methods. This year Stoptober, Public Health England (PHE) will be encouraging smokers to find their best quit support through a new online Personal Quit Plan.

The online plan asks people a number of questions about their smoking habit and provides them with a suggested combination of support based on their level of tobacco dependency and what quitting support they have used previously.

Smokers will be advised that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products are most effective when used in combination – such as an all-day patch together with a fast-acting option, like an inhaler or lozenges, to help them deal with any immediate cravings.

The campaign will highlight how last year nearly 400,000 smokers in England quit successfully, which is the equivalent to 1,069 smokers each day or one every 80 seconds. Despite new smokers starting and ex-smokers relapsing, there are now 1 million fewer smokers in England since 2014.

Commenting on 2018’s campaign, Marketing Director at Public Health England, Sheila Mitchell said: “Stoptober has inspired 1.7 million quit attempts to date and we are excited to show through our statistics that on average, someone quits smoking every 80 seconds in England. However, there are still over 6 million smokers in England – with 6 in 10 of those wanting to quit – so we need to do what we can to help those quit. The best way to quit is with support and that’s why we are encouraging people to try our new Personal Quit Plan today and search ‘Stoptober’ to join thousands of others quitting together from the 1 October.”

The campaign launches this year on 20 September and will consist of a new TV advert, digital and social media advertising, radio partnership with Global Radio, PR and public and commercial partnerships.

Stoptober is also being supported by TV presenter Jermey Kyle who quit earlier this year and is encouraging the public to get on board and quit for 28 days – he believes that if he can quit his 35 year habit, everyone has a chance.

Search ‘Stoptober’ to find out more about Stoptober and the Personal Quit Plan.

Source: Public Health England 

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