Thinking about giving up smoking as part of this year’s Stoptober campaign, but not sure you can do it?

SUPPORT, Sefton’s NHS Stop Smoking Service is encouraging local residents to take part in Stoptober this October, and offering lots of extra support during September to help people prepare for it.

The team are offering anyone living or working in Sefton help, advice and nicotine replacement therapy to help them gradually reduce their smoking during September, in order to get ready to stop for good during Stoptober.

Each year thousands of people across the country take part in the Stoptober challenge and successfully stop smoking for the 28 days of October, and beyond.

Research has found that if a smoker can make it through 28 days smokefree, they are 5 times more likely to quit for good.

The SUPPORT team is made up of specialist nurses and advisors who can offer a wide range of free friendly, non judgemental advice and support, and have already helped thousands of Sefton residents to kick the habit and live longer healthier lives.

They can help you put together a personally tailored stop smoking plan and help you find the best way of stopping smoking for you. They can also provide treatments that will help keep your cravings at bay, and offer ongoing support and encouragement to keep you motivated about reaching your goal.

Colette Kearney, stop smoking coordinator for the Sefton SUPPORT team explains: “We find that many smokers are desperate to quit the habit, but it can be really hard to do, especially when you try to do it on your own.

“This Stoptober we want to give Sefton residents the best possible chance of succeeding at stopping smoking, and would urge anyone considering quitting to take full advantage of the extra support we are offering during September to help get them started.

“No one likes to take on a challenge if they think they might fail, but the good news is that by using an NHS Stop Smoking Service like ours, you’re 4 times more likely to successfully quit – and to stay smokefree for good, so please, please pick up the phone and get in touch with us on 0300 100 1000.”

To find out more about the Sefton SUPPORT team, or get an appointment at your nearest drop in clinic, call Healthy Sefton now on 0300 100 1000 or visit www.healthysefton.nhs.uk.

For more information on Stoptober or to sign up to take part in the challenge, visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree.