South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 17/11/2014

Over 1,000 people across South Gloucestershire made a quit attempt during last month’s Stoptober campaign.

Smokers stubbed out their cigarettes during Stoptober, the 28 day stop smoking challenge from Public Health England, which ran during throughout the month. People in South Gloucestershire joined over 250,000 people around the country swapping their fags for gags in the nation’s biggest mass quit attempt.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that the number of smokers in England has hit a record low, with smokers now accounting for only 18.4 per cent of the population in 2013, a drop of 1.1 per cent compared to 2012. In South Gloucestershire, the percentage of people smoking is less than the national average at 16.7 per cent, or 44,940 smokers. This is a reduction of 2,153 smokers since 2012 when prevalence was 17.5 per cent.

Dr Mark Pietroni, South Gloucestershire Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “Congratulations to everyone in South Gloucestershire who made a quit attempt during Stoptober. Although the campaign may have finished, there is still plenty of support available for anyone who has been inspired by the campaign and would like to stop smoking or stay quit for good. Smokefree sessions run throughout the year in Filton, Kingswood, Patchway, Staple Hill and Yate. Call 01454 865502 or email smokefree@southglos.gov.uk to book a session or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/stoptober for more information.”

Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, added: “With more than 250,000 participants, it is fantastic to see that this year’s Stoptober has been so successful. Evidence shows the clear health benefits that giving up smoking provides, and that by quitting smoking people can make a huge difference to their long-term wellbeing.

“The success of mass-quit attempts, such as Stoptober, show that a tobacco-free generation is now within sight as more smokers stub out their cigarettes as part of a conscious decision to improve their health.”

This year’s campaign had a comedy theme for the first time, to help smokers get through the difficult challenge of quitting, and over 250 organisations such as Asda and the British Army as well as football clubs and bloggers got thousands of people to stay smokefree for 28 days.

Well known faces such as Duncan Bannatyne, Gemma Collins and Jenny Frost joined some of the nation’s top comedians, such as Paddy McGuinness, Al Murray, Simon Brodkin (aka Lee Nelson) and Andi Osho, who helped people stay away from the cigarettes by providing motivational messages of support throughout the 28 days.