STOPTOBER
Supporting You to Stop Smoking
On October 1st Stoptober called on smokers all over England to quit smoking. This campaign, initiated by Public Health England, runs for four weeks with research suggesting that anyone who can stay off cigarettes for 28 days is five times more likely to quit for good!
Supporting the Stoptober campaign is META (Mobile Europeans Taking Action), a Stop-Smoking-Service run by Keystone Development Trust in Thetford. The service, which is commissioned by the Public Health Department at Norfolk County Council, offers support to migrants wanting to kick the habit and is delivered by NHS-trained advisors who are themselves migrant workers.
META doesn’t believe in a “one glove fits all” approach as Stop Smoking Advisor Jurij Sverckov explains:
“We try to find the right treatment for each person to identify the one that most suits them. Communication and building positive relationships with migrants who want to give up smoking are the key elements of my job.”
As well as providing the initial support to combat nicotine addiction, META helps clients to stay on track. Their advisors work in close partnership with Health Trainers at The Healthy Living Centre to address related issues such as concerns about weight gain when giving up smoking.
Jonathan Walker, Director of Community Services at Keystone Development Trust, welcomes the Stoptober campaign:
“Stoptober is an ideal opportunity for anyone thinking about giving up smoking. A campaign that encompasses the whole of the country might just provide the incentive to take the first step and get specialist advice and support. Quitting is not that easy for a lot of smokers and in our experience it’s appropriate support that can make the crucial difference to succeeding in leading a nicotine-free, healthier life”.
The harm that smoking can do to smokers and to those around them is no ground-breaking news. Most smokers are aware of the risks to their health, yet they keep smoking. New legislation coming into force next month will make it a criminal offence to smoke in a car occupied by a child. Smoke fumes in a car are 11 times more concentrated than in an open space.
If you would like help quitting smoking contact us on 01842 757346 and talk to one of our advisors.