Smokers are being encouraged to give up smoking for 28 days from the 1st October in a mass attempt to quit. Stoptober is supported by Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation and it’s hoped that the combined effort of smokers quitting together will help them kick the habit for good.
Research has found that people are more likely to be able to quit smoking if they are given support rather than stopping cold turkey. The mass involvement of smokers in the scheme could be the push that many smokers need to quit as many are social animals who are influenced by each other.
I was shocked when I read that one in two long-term smokers will die due to a disease related to their smoking. I’m happy that I never started smoking and I am lucky that I have never seen the appeal or point of the habit. I know a lot of people who have successfully quit smoking and others who enjoy it and have no desire to stop.
I think that people are more likely to be able to stop smoking if they truly want to and have a reason that will spur them on. The Stoptober scheme is a great idea as smokers will be given free support which even includes a phone app that will track their progress and send daily motivational texts to help them stay on track.
Good luck to everyone quitting in October!
Lets hope that it does lead to more people quitting smoking cigarettes, cigars and the odd pipe. I know I found it hard, but stick to it and it will work.