Devon smokers urged to sign up for Stoptober

Today (October 1) sees the launch of Stoptober - the 28-day campaign to help smokers who want to stop smoking for good. 

Devon County Council is encouraging smokers in the region to sign-up, and has joined forces with Smokefree South West and Public Health England to support the campaign.

Dr Virginia Pearson, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said:  “Quitting smoking is as easy as searching ‘Stoptober’ online or contacting your local, council-run, Stop Smoking Service by calling 01884 836024 or emailing ndht.stopsmoking@nhs.net.

“If you stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to stay quit.”

One in two long term smokers die early because of their habit, so the benefits of giving up are great for a smoker and their family. But, smoking doesn’t just cost the smoker in terms of their health and cash-flow; it costs Devon (excluding Plymouth and Torbay) an estimated £167m each year.

Those costs include:

• Every year smoking-related deaths in Devon result in 2,077 years of lost productivity, costing the regional economy approx. £35m
• It is estimated that smoking breaks cost businesses in Devon £58m annually
• Local businesses in Devon lose approx. 168,580 days of productivity each year in smoking-related sick days, costing around £16m
• The total cost to the NHS in Devon as a direct result of treating smoking-related ill health is approx. £30m
• Passive smoking impacts on the health of non-smokers in Devon, costing the regional healthcare system a further £3m
• Current and ex-smokers in Devon require additional care in later life, costing an additional £16.7million (£9.6m from local authorities, £1.7m paid for by individuals)
• Smoking materials are linked to around 35 fires in the South West every year, costing around £8m

While many smokers think the taxes on cigarettes subsidise the NHS, the facts are that the full cost to society in Devon adds up to a massive £49m each year more than the tax revenue from tobacco.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We all know the cost of smoking to the individual is potentially deadly, with half of all smokers dying early because they smoke.  But it’s not just their own money a smoker is literally burning through - the cost to our community is also really dramatic.

“Devon County Council, local businesses and communities all want to see Devon thrive and we can best achieve that if we are all healthy. That’s why our public health service provides the Devon Stop Smoking Service , to help local people make the choice to stop smoking, and it’s why we are supporting the Stoptober campaign.

“If anyone wants to stop smoking but feels like they need a bit of help, they can get in touch and search ‘Stoptober’ online. If you know a smoker who wants to quit, be that a family member, friend or workmate, see how you can help them stay off the smokes for 28 days this Stoptober.”

Fiona Andrews, Director of Smokefree South West, said: “Stoptober is a fun and interactive way to quit. It’s great that this year’s theme is comedy because as tough as it can be, you can get brilliant support from friends, family and co-workers who will know you best and help keep you positive.

"The excellent online and mobile Stoptober tools, the council services and support of friends, family and colleagues can all help smokers quit for good.”