If so, October or Stoptober is the month to do it – there has never been a better time to quit!
Coronavirus pandemic has changed public attitudes to health, with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) calculating that more than 1 million people in the UK stopped smoking during the lockdown period. You too can become a non-smoker by joining the thousands of people who are taking part in Stoptober.
What is Stopober?
Stoptober is a 28-day stop smoking challenge. The highly successful Stoptober campaign initiated by Public Health England is a major annual event which begins on the 1st October every year.
Research shows that if you can stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to quit permanently.
The challenge works by breaking down the quitting process into 28 days to make it more manageable. In just 4 weeks, you can experience many health changes related to stopping smoking.
The Stoptober app (available on the App Store and Google Play) shows you how much money you’re saving, and you can subscribe to get a daily email to help boost your motivation. You can also join the stop smoking community to receive more personal support.
Why quit smoking?
Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health and the health of those around you. Smoking causes:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Lung diseases
- Diabetes
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
- Smoking also increases risk of tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Why is it so hard to stop smoking?
Tobacco smoke contains over 5,000 chemicals, including nicotine which is highly addictive, and smokers develop a physical dependence by regularly using tobacco. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can be a difficult part of trying to quit smoking.
What happens when you stop smoking?
There are health benefits of quitting smoking that occur almost as soon as you stop smoking. In as little as 1 day after quitting smoking, a person’s blood pressure begins to drop, decreasing the risk of heart disease from smoking-induced high blood pressure.
However, there are a number of other changes the body experiences when trying to kick the habit. If you quit smoking suddenly, you may experience cravings, restlessness, trouble concentrating or sleeping, irritability, anxiety, increases in appetite and weight gain.
If you want to give up smoking, talk to your GP.
Call MyHealthcare on 0207 099 5555 for a consultation with one of our private GPs. Many people don’t realise just how their GP can support them through quitting smoking. Not only will your GP encourage your move to quit smoking, they can prescribe patches, or gum, if necessary.
If you haven’t been to MyHealthcare Clinic before it is a great way to start a relationship with one of our practice GPs.
For same-day online and in-person GP appointments at our award-winning clinics call 0207 099 5555. Appointments available Monday to Saturday.
Book a consultation from £45.
