• Stoptober campaign calls on smokers to sign up together as research shows they are 67% more likely to quit if their partner also stops smoking and 36% more likely to quit if a friend stops 
• By signing up to Stoptober quitters will get humorous supportive messages from some of the nation’s top comedians – Bill Bailey, Al Murray, Shappi Khorsandi and Rhod Gilbert
• Combining online support from comedians with a smoker’s ‘real world’ social groups designed to help increase their chances of getting through 28 days smokefree

In addition to the exclusive content and support, those registering for Stoptober will also be provided with information on a range of other options to support their quit attempt. And for the first time this year the campaign is supportive of smokers wanting to quit using an e-cigarette. For full range of options: http://www.nhs.uk/smokefree/help-and-advice

Read more here

Health benefits of stopping smoking

Stopping smoking can significantly improve your lifestyle and health in ways you might not expect. Once you stop smoking, some of the benefits are immediate and some are longer term:

• after 20 minutes – blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal
• after 8 hours – nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half and oxygen levels return to normal
• after 48 hours – carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. There is no nicotine in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved
• after 72 hours – breathing becomes easier; bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase
• after 2 to 12 weeks – your circulation improves
• after 3 to 9 months – coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%
• after 5 years – risk of heart attacks falls to about half compared with a person who is still smoking
• after 10 years – risk of lung cancer falls to about half compared with a person who is still smoking
• after 10 years – risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker; risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked

If you are considering quitting smoking with or without the use of e-cigarettes then contact the Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service, this is completely free, find out more athttp://www.smokefreewarwickshire.org or call 0800 085 2917 or text LIFE to 80800