Stoptober 2024 launches with bold ambition to make Merseyside smoke-free by 2030

Today marks the launch of Stoptober, the annual campaign encouraging smokers to quit for good. Since it started 12 years ago, more than 2.5 million people have successfully stopped smoking through the campaign.

Research shows that if smokers make it through the 28 days of Stoptober without a cigarette, they are five times more likely to quit permanently.

This year, health leaders from Merseyside and Cheshire have come together in support of Stoptober, unveiling a bold new goal: to end smoking entirely across the region by 2030. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable ill health, premature death, and health inequalities in the region.

Currently, around 237,000 adults in Cheshire and Merseyside still smoke, generating an estimated £1.9bn in annual healthcare-related costs.

Dr Sarah McNulty, Lead Director of Public Health for Smokefree Cheshire and Merseyside, said:

“Two in three smokers will die from smoking related causes, and many of these deaths happen far too early, often in middle age. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, with almost immediate benefits, so even if you’ve tried quitting before, give it another go this Stoptober.

“There is lots of support available to stop smoking, and we are committed to working together with residents to make Cheshire and Merseyside smoke-free by 2030.”

Many people attempt to stop smoking without help, but there’s no reason to go it alone, and having expert support can make the difference between stopping temporarily and stopping for good, as Steven, 48 from Knowsley knows only too well:

“Over the years, I tried quitting a few times. Once, I even managed to stay off cigarettes for four months, but then stress hit, and I started smoking again. This time was different, though—I wanted it more than ever.’

“My GP referred me to my local stop smoking service, which was amazing—honestly, I couldn’t have asked for better support. Nicola, my advisor, was fantastic. She really understood what I was going through, and she made me feel like I could be open about everything. I’ve now been smoke free for six months, and feel confident that I can stay that way,”

With significant investment both regionally and nationally into tackling smoking, this is a key priority for the sub-region. The Cheshire and Merseyside Health Care Partnership and Directors of Public and Population Health have collaboratively agreed the All Together Smokefree vision and ambition, and invested in a three-year programme to kickstart delivering a smokefree 2030.

This work is part of the Champs public health collaborative, a long-standing formal partnership of Cheshire and Merseyside’s nine Directors of Public Health, the NHS Director of Population Health and their teams, serving a population of 2.7 million people.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Chair of the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership said:

“Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death and ill-health in Cheshire and Merseyside –many of us will know someone who has been affected by tobacco harm.’ 

“That’s why our smokefree programme will deter young people from even trying a cigarette and in turn, prevent a possible lifetime of addiction and illnesses like cancer and heart disease. We want to provide motivation and offer support for every adult to quit – because it’s never too late.’ 

“Tobacco harms our communities, our NHS and the economy, so we are committed to creating a healthier, smokefree future for everyone – and support the Tobacco and Vapes Bill – as we work together to tackle inequalities in smoking prevalence and smoking-related harms.”

Professor Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:

“Smoking has a huge impact on NHS services, costing over £6 billion a year in hospital admissions, GP consultations, prescriptions and treatments.’

“This money would be better spent on preventing these illnesses by helping people to quit smoking or stopping them ever starting and that is what the smokefree programme is all about.”

Getting support from your local stop smoking service gives you the best chance of quitting smoking successfully. Visit NHS Better Health to find your nearest service and get ready to quit for good this Stoptober.

NHS Better Health has a range of tools to help: download the NHS quit smoking app, register for daily email support or read information about using a vape to quit smoking – there are lots of options to help you.people who have already quit through Stoptober and help make Cheshire and Merseyside smoke-free by 2030.

For more info on Stoptober click here.

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