Stoptober starts on Monday

AN Enderby resident who ‘has not looked back’ since giving up smoking for Stoptober a year ago is urging others to do the same next month.

Heidi Stark used to smoke between 10 and 15 a day for more than 25 years, but quit the habit after receiving support from Leicestershire County Council’s QuitReady Service.

The 45-year-old is backing the Stoptober campaign, which supports people to stop smoking for 28 days from 1 October.

She said: “I tried to stop a few times in the past, but I really wanted to stop for good this time. I haven’t had a cigarette since I signed up for Stoptober last year and I feel better than ever. My bank bal- ance is looking a lot healthier too – I have saved more than £1,500, according to the Stoptober app.”

People signing up with QuitReady will work with a stop smoking advisor who offers free tailored advice and support, including free stop smoking medication.

Smokers who choose to quit with an E-Cigarette, will also be offered a free E-Cigarette starter kit and follow on nicotine liquids.

Heidi, who chose to quit using an E-Cigarette, benefitted from weekly calls from her QuitReady advisor.

She said: “I found my advisor Bev very helpful, I really appreciated her support and she took a real interest in how I was getting on.”

Councillor Pam Posnett, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Last year we helped more than 270 Leicestershire smokers kick the habit during Stoptober. With the addition of free E-cigarette starter packs to our support package, we hope even more local residents will benefit from QuitReady’s help and support in 2018.”

People who sign up for Stoptober will have access to additional support and advice via an app, email and Facebook page.

To find out more, visit www.quitready.co.uk call 0345 646 66 66 or text ‘ready’ to 66777. To find out more about Stoptober, visit www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stoptober