Residents across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes urged to stop smoking this Stoptober

Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Integrated Care Board is encouraging residents across the region to stop smoking this Stoptober.

In the last few years, 2.5 million people across England have taken the opportunity of the support available during Stoptober to attempt to quit smoking. However, over 5 million people in England still smoke and every year around 64,000 people in England die from smoking, with many more living with debilitating smoking-related illnesses.

That’s why this year, the (BLMK) Integrated Care Board is working in partnership with services across to region to encourage smokers to join the thousands of others who are committing to quitting for the month of October. By quitting smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to quit for good.

Evidence has proven that when you quit smoking, the benefits start almost immediately:

• After 20 minutes, check your pulse rate, it will already be starting to return to normal
• After 8 hours – your oxygen levels are recovering, and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half
• After 48 hours – all carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell will begin to improve
• After 2 – 12 weeks – blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved
• After 1 year – Great news! Your risk of a heart attack will have halved compared with a regular smoker
• After 10 years – More great news! Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker’s.

Dr Ian Reckless, Chief Medical Officer at BLMK Integrated Care Board, said:

“Stoptober is a pivotal campaign that enables individuals to take proactive steps towards enhancing their health by quitting smoking. Participation not only boosts personal health and well-being but also serves as a positive influence within the community.

“Each move towards a smoke-free lifestyle contributes to a healthier future for everyone and there is lots of support available, both nationally and locally, for residents to access the information and guidance they need to start their journey towards a smoke-free future.”

Stoptober offers a range of free quitting tools including: the NHS Quit Smoking app, Facebook messenger bot, Stoptober Facebook online communities, daily emails and SMS, and an online Personal Quit Plan tool. Just search ‘Stoptober’ for more information or visit the Better Health Quit Smoking website. 

Or, for local support, you can contact the local Stop Smoking services in your area:

• www.thestopsmokingservice.co.uk – Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes – or call 0800 013 0553.
• www.totalwellbeingluton.org/stop-smoking.html – Luton – or call 0300 555 4152, or text QUIT to 60066.