Wokingham Borough Council is proud to be supporting Public Health England campaign Stoptober.
Despite smoking rates in Wokingham being lower than ever before, millions across the UK still smoke so the council is working with PHE to promote Stoptober to encourage smokers in Wokingham to try and end their bad relationship with smoking.
The council is encouraging all smokers around the borough to join in with the nation’s biggest quit attempt, starting on 1 October, by providing them with the support and information they need to stop smoking this Stoptober with Smokefreelife Berkshire.
“Stoptober is a perfect time for smokers to try and end their harmful relationship with smoking – however many times they may have tried in the past. The annual campaign provides the perfect opportunity for family, friends and colleagues to work together towards quitting smoking for good,” said Jason Mahoney, health & wellbeing programme lead at Public Health England South East .
“Now more than ever before there are a host of quit smoking aids and free support services available. Evidence shows you are more likely to quit with support from a local stop smoking service than if you try to go it alone.”
Wokingham Borough Council, together with other local authorities, supports Smokefreelife Berkshire, a free service covering Wokingham, Reading, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead and West Berkshire, who provide support to those trying to quit.
Smokefreelife Berkshire hold drop-in clinics in local community settings, including GP surgeries and supermarkets, as well as one-to-one or group sessions and a free weekly supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
“Relying on willpower alone is the least effective way to stop. We want our residents to know we are here to help boost their chance of success by offering the support that is right for each individual,” said Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services.
“Stoptober has supported over 1.9 million people on their quit journey to date – if you can make it to 28 days smokefree, you are five times more likely to quit for good. We are here to help.”
For further details on support services available across Wokingham visit www.smokefreelifeberkshire.com/how-to-quit/
