Helping you quit the habit this Stoptober
30/09/2019
This article is more than four years old.
Oxford University Hospitals is encouraging people to give quitting smoking a go this October as part of the national Stoptober campaign.
Stoptober, a 28 day stop smoking challenge, launches on Tuesday 1 October 2019 and has driven over one million quit attempts to date. It is based on research that shows if you can stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to stay smoke-free for good.
Supported by the Trust's Here for Health team, we are reminding patients, staff, and visitors that there's never been a better time to stop smoking.
Kate Boys, Smoking Cessation Advisor at the Trust's Here for Health team, said: "Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK, with many of these illnesses and deaths being entirely avoidable.
"Stopping smoking is the single most effective way to improve health and speed up your recovery from illness. It often feels like a difficult habit to overcome, but the good news is that there are plenty of local services and resources available to help people quit and we know that you are four times more likely to quit successfully with professional support than when you go it alone.
"Stoptober is a great opportunity to think about quitting - it's a manageable 28 day chunk, and it's also a time of year that many others around us quit too so it feels easier to deal with than the usual New Year's resolutions.
"Giving up smoking will make you feel a lot healthier and save you a lot of money. If you'd like to come and talk to us about how to quit as easily as possible please do come by and see the Here for Health team at our hospitals - we're available to patients, staff and visitors."
The Here for Health team offers regular smoking cessation clinics at the John Radcliffe, Churchill, and Horton General hospitals. You are also welcome to speak to the team about improving your health overall, including weight management, getting more active, managing alcohol intake and eating a healthy diet.
Pictured: some of our Here for Health team at one of our promotional stands where we give advice to patients, visitors and staff on quitting smoking.