New data published today in a University College of London (UCL) report shows quitting success rates at their highest for at least a decade, up to 19.8% for the first six months of this year, significantly higher than the average for the last 10 years (15.7%).
Success rates among the less well-off have for years remained low, but in a major turnaround the sharp increase in success rates is being seen entirely among this group. For the first time, smokers in manual occupational groups have virtually the same chances of quitting as those in white collar jobs.
The report coincides with the launch of Stoptober quit smoking challenge, which has inspired over one and a half million quit attempts since 2012. The campaign is based on research that if you stop smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to stop for good.
With Stoptober now in its 6th year, the UCL report gives a number of reasons why there’s never been a better time to quit, including:
- better and more quitting aid options, with e-cigarettes now the most popular
- more restrictions on smoking
- the introduction of plain tobacco packaging
- a stronger anti-smoking culture in England
- supportive stop smoking campaigns such as Stoptober
Dr Lola Abudu, PHE West Midlands director of Health and Welling, said: “Stoptober is a really great way to kick the habit, as people who can stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to quit for good. In the West Midlands we have come a long way in reducing the numbers of adults smoking to around 15%, compared to 23% in 2007, when the ban on smoking in public places was introduced. While smoking rates across the region continue to decline there are still too many people risking their health and lives by continuing to smoke, especially in the most deprived areas – with around 20% of adults still smoking in some parts of the West Midlands.
“E-cigarettes are now the most popular way to quit in the country with half of all those taking part in Stoptober last year using an e-cigarette. Vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking – a fraction of the risk, so if you’ve struggled with quitting before, an e-cigarette may be the best option for you. Don’t be put off if you’ve already made several attempts. Join up with Stoptober and benefit from free support direct to your phone, laptop or tablet via the Stoptober app, a daily email giving support or Facebook Message, free face-to-face support plus a raft of advice and information on the website. Search ‘Stoptober’ online and join the thousands of others who go smokefree once and for all this year.”
After more than 25 years of being a smoker, Jason Ryan from Wolverhampton (44) quit during Stoptober 2012. His first attempt was aged 26 when he managed to stop for nine months, but he was soon back to smoking up to 40 a day after just one cigarette with friends at the pub. However when it came to quitting four years ago, Jason had support of family, friends and Stoptober.
This October, Wolverhampton resident Jason Ryan is encouraging smokers all over the country to try Stoptober and quit for good, he said: “Now that I’m in my forties, I know that my body is getting older, so I wanted to give up smoking to help my health. My wife used to smoke many years ago, but she quit, and having her encouragement and praise was incredible. The Stoptober tools really helped me quit, but it was willpower that got me through. My morning cough has gone and I sleep much more peacefully now. Breathing is easier too. But the best thing is probably my newfound love of food; the taste is so different and everything tastes better.
“Set a date in your head for when you’re going to stop – 1st October works well. Then you can get that date in your head and build yourself up to your goal.”
Jason tried a variety of different stop smoking products, such as e-cigarettes and tablets, before finding one that worked well for him – a mouth spray that he used when he had a craving. After a month, Jason no longer had cravings and became completely nicotine free.
Professor Gina Radford, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said: “The battle against smoking is far from over – it is still the country’s biggest killer, causing 79,000 deaths a year, and for every death another 20 smokers are suffering from a smoking-related disease. Far too many people are still dying as a result of smoking, but there has never been a better time to quite – the culture has changed, strong legislation is in place and the effective support is available.
“It’s never too late to give up – any smoker, not matter what their age, will feel the health benefits within months. Make the commitment to stop, join Stoptober and add healthier years to your life.”
The campaign starts on 1st October. Search ‘Stoptober’ online for all the support you need to quit.
