Brian Taylor and Crystal Boulton
BTH’s community stop smoking services are urging both staff and residents across Blackpool. Fylde and Wyre to quit smoking this October—known as Stoptober.
Anyone thinking of quitting can get up to 12 weeks free support and stop medications if they set a quit date and follow a treatment plan with the Blackpool Tobacco Addiction Service or Quit Squad. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video. The combination of free stop smoking medications and one-to-one support means smokers are three times more likely to quit.
Over six million adults in England still smoke, and it remains the leading cause of premature death, with almost 75,000 preventable deaths a year. A new nationwide survey of 2,000 current smokers released has found that nearly half (45%) have been smoking more since the first lockdown began.
One such smoker is Blackpool resident Brian Taylor. Brian was a heavy smoker for 60 years until he contacted the Blackpool community service where Specialist Advisor Crystal Boulton supported Brian to quit smoking. Having set a quit date in May, Brian remains smokefree to this day and is enjoying his healthier smokefree life:
He said: “I can go upstairs now and not be completely out of breath and not puffing and panting at the top of the stairs. I used to have to stop.”
This year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to join the thousands of others who are giving quitting a go for the month of October, and getting to experience the benefits of giving up smoking including being able to start moving better, being able to breathe more easily and saving money.
Brian is also advising Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre residents to stop smoking this October: “My advice would be to get in touch with the NHS Stop Smoking Service whichever area you are in, and you’ll get all the help and support you need. I’d say definitely go for it, because before you know it you will shock yourself and you will have stopped smoking and you’ll feel a lot better.”
See Brian’s story by following the Blackpool Tobacco Addiction Service on social media: @NHSQuitTobacco
GETTING LOCAL SUPPORT IN BLACKPOOL, FYLDE AND WYRE
· Blackpool residents and staff living in Blackpool call 0808 196 4324
· Fylde, Wyre and Lancs residents and staff living in Fylde, Wyre and Lancs call: 0800 328 6297
· Alternatively, staff and residents in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre can refer here.