Over 170 smokers sign up to quit at Stoptober roadshow in Exeter

More than 170 smokers pledged to quit the habit when the national Stoptober roadshow visited Exeter.

The roadshow came to Bedford Square, Princesshay, as part of the Public Health England campaign to encourage smokers to quit this October.

The Comedy Fitness Brothers entertained the crowds while the Devon Stop Smoking Service offered information and expert advice to the public.

A total of 174 people signed up to the Stoptober challenge to give up smoking for at least 28 days.

Denise Veen, a specialist stop smoking adviser for Health Promotion Devon, a division of the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “The Stoptober roadshow went very well and generated a lot of interest from passers-by.

“People enjoyed the light-hearted comedy approach, which was a real crowd-puller, and some passers-by joined in with the Comedy Fitness Brothers with some press-ups!

“I talked with a number of people about their plans to quit and made appointments there and then for them to attend our clinics to receive specialist support.

“People who had already quit were very keen to share this and say how they were so happy that they had.

“Aside from the promotion on Friday I have a number of clients who have been inspired by Stoptober to stop smoking this autumn.”

Lesley Thomas, tobacco control programme manager at Devon County Council, said: “Stoptober is a great opportunity for smokers to have a go at stopping smoking.

“You are four times more likely to be successful if you use support from an adviser alongside nicotine replacement therapy or other stop smoking medication.

“The Comedy Fitness Brothers enthusiastically delivered this message in a hugely entertaining way.”

Health Promotion Devon runs weekly clinics at three venues in Exeter and many others across the county.

For more information, call 01884 836024 or visit www.healthpromotiondevon.nhs.uk/stop-smoking/stop-smoking-service.