SOUTHPORT – It’s time to Stoptober

It’s time to Stoptober

Smokers in Sefton are being urged to tackle the Stoptober challenge by quitting smoking for 28 days.

Colette Kearney, Team Lead for Smokefree Sefton, one of Living Well Sefton’s partners, said: “Evidence shows that if people are smoke free for 28 days they are five times more likely to quit for good. If you’re thinking of stopping smoking then boost your chances of quitting successfully by using the support of our Personal Quit Plan which is tailored just for you.”

Their clients know first hand how Smokefree Sefton can help and comment: “I want to thank the team because after an injury I became inactive and started to smoke more than 40 cigarettes a day. After reading I was four times more likely to quit with the team’s support, I went to one of their clinics and my advisor helped me every step of the way. Now I enjoy having more money and I’ve even taken up sport again.”

The Smokefree Sefton team is working in partnership with Sefton Council and Health and Safety Executive to give staff help and support to stop smoking during October.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Stoptober presents a great opportunity for people who have been thinking about giving up smoking to take on the challenge and start living a healthier lifestyle.

“I’m delighted that Smokefree Sefton will be offering its services to businesses throughout Sefton this month, including supporting staff at Sefton Council who are ready to make a positive lifestyle change.”

To make it easier for people get free support during the month, the team’s Wellness on Wheels (WOW) bus is driving out to various locations including Bootle Strand, Marion Square Netherton and the foodbanks in Bootle, Waterloo and Southport. Awareness events are taking place in Asda Bootle throughout the month.

For more information on how the Smokefree Sefton team can help you quit smoking visit their website: www.smokefreesefton.co.uk

Or call 0300 100 1000 to find your nearest stop smoking clinic.

Caption: Eloni Lewis from the Smokefree Sefton team with Barry Gray, a volunteer with the south Sefton food bank, and the WoW bus at St Leonard’s Youth and Community Centre, Bootle