•Newham Council backs annual public health campaign.
•More than 1,700 people have signed up to Quit Well Newham.
•Over 850 residents have stopped smoking since the service launched in 2023.
Newham Council is supporting residents to give up smoking this Stoptober which will take place from Sunday 1st October.
Everyone has their own reason for quitting smoking and this Stoptober, the council is encouraging residents who want to give up to join Quit Well Newham. The free stop smoking service is holding a number of outreach events and weekly drop-in sessions across the borough for Stoptober. According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), figures show that if you can quit for at least 28 days, you are five times more likely to remain smoke-free.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death. In Newham, over 10 per cent of adults smoke with a high prevalence of smoking amongst routine and manual workers, around 17 per cent.
Councillor Neil Wilson, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said:
“The thought of giving up smoking can be difficult, but it does not have to be. This Stoptober, quitting can be achieved, together.
“We want all smokers to join our Quit Well Newham service. Residents will be offered free advice and support from a trained practitioner to quit smoking for up to 12 weeks. The service also offers nicotine-replacement therapy and regulated vapes, which are in line with guidance from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
“If you are a smoker, I would encourage you to take the first step and join the thousands of people who are looking to quit this Stoptober. You will have more time, more money and may see huge health benefits as a result.”
Quit Well Newham provides 12 weeks of expert advice and support for smokers and smokeless tobacco users intending to quit. By joining Quit Well Newham, smokers are four times more likely to quit than if they were to try to do it on their own. The service offers nicotine replacement treatment and regulated vapes to help smokers begin their quit journey- there has never been a better time to quit.
Support is available in English, Bengali, Urdu, Gujarati and Lithuanian and British Sign Language is also offered.
One service user from the borough, Shahajahan Miah, said:
"It's an excellent service, it was easy to access and receiving free stop smoking medications was really helpful. If I had any concerns, the team was readily available for appointments.”
Community pharmacies across Newham also offer quit smoking support with personalised advice and tailored treatment plans including setting a quit date.
For more information on Quit Well Newham or community pharmacy support, please visit www.wellnewham.org.uk/advice/stop-smoking