Health and wellbeing
Walsall residents encouraged to ‘quit smoking for good’ this Stoptober
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An annual national campaign gets underway today (1 October 2024) to encourage smokers in England to join the 2.5 million others who have made the attempt to quit smoking.
Stoptober, which takes place every October, is again being backed by Walsall Council, along with NHS partners and Be Well Walsall to encourage residents to quit smoking for 28 days, making it five times more likely to quit for good.
Recent data shows 13.8% (approximately 29,300) of adults aged 18 or over in Walsall are current smokers. This is above the England average (12.7%) and the regional average (12.8%). Although there has been a continuing decline in the number of people who smoke in Walsall, there is a need for effective stop smoking services to be in place to help people quit to achieve the national ambition for England to be smoke free by 2030.
Quitting smoking provides numerous benefits from the moment someone stops, including improved taste and smell, easier breathing and more energy. Quitting also improves mental wellbeing, saves money and protects family and friends which last a lifetime.
Be Well Walsall, the council’s free wellbeing service delivered by Maximus UK, supports people in Walsall to find ways to stop smoking that works for them. They also offer support to help people improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Anyone living or working or registered with a GP in Walsall can access 8-12 weeks of free, personalised tailored support to help people quit for good. This includes regular appointments with stop smoking advisors, advice and resources, as well as nicotine replacement therapy.
People are being encouraged to seek free one to one support and nicotine replacement therapy from local services like Be Well Walsall to help them on their quit journey.
“ We are delighted to be once again backing Stoptober, where millions of people will be taking the challenge to quit smoking.
When you quit smoking for 28 days this October, you’re five times more likely to quit for good. When accessing effective support to stop smoking, you are also more likely to give up the habit.
Whether it’s your first time or you’ve made previous quit attempts, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Our ambition by 2040 is for Walsall to be the most improved borough in the region for smoking rates, and people living longer lives in better health. If you’re a smoker or know someone who is, please do consider making a quit attempt this Stoptober. The benefits start within a matter of days of stopping smoking and they will last a lifetime. “
On Friday 11 October, Be Well Walsall’s Stoptober event will take place from 10am to 2pm at Bloxwich Active Living Centre. Support and information from a range of local organisations will be provided, as well as tips and resources to help residents quit smoking and the opportunity to take part in fun activities. The event is drop-in, with no booking required.
In addition, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust will be having an information stand at Walsall Manor Hospital on Wednesday 9 October and 30 October between 10am and 2pm (opposite Costa Coffee on floor one) for any visitors or patients who would like stop smoking advice and support.
The Trust offers quit smoking support for inpatients through its Tobacco Dependency Service, and for pregnant women and their partners in Walsall to quit smoking during pregnancy through the Health in Pregnancy service.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- Be Well Walsall is a free wellbeing service to help anyone in Walsall to look after their mental and physical health. Their support includes improving wellbeing, being a healthier weight, stop smoking and NHS Health Checks* (*for eligible residents). To find out more visit https://bww.maximusuk.co.uk/ or call 01922 444044.
- Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Tobacco Dependency Service supports anyone going into hospital who is a smoker or has smoked within the previous 30 days. Trained staff work with inpatients to help them quit smoking and offer nicotine replacement therapy. To find out more email wht.tdt@nhs.net
- The Trust also offers pregnant women and their partners to quit smoking through the Walsall Health in Pregnancy service. Specialist stop smoking advisors are able to support women through behaviour change and by providing nicotine replacement therapy. To find out more call 01922 270477.
- Data on smoking prevalence in Walsall is taken from the Walsall Tobacco Control Plan 2023-27. The plan outlines priority areas that will see a coordinated approach to tobacco, maximising the safety, health and economic benefits to Walsall and its residents.
