Welsh Government launches Stoptober

Stoptober, the campaign to encourage people to give up smoking for 28 days, is being launched for the first time in Wales this autumn.

The campaign aims to get as many smokers as possible in Wales and England to take up the 28 day smoke free challenge, which starts on the 1st of October. Smoking is the greatest preventable cause of illness, disability and premature death in Wales and accounts for over 5,600 fatalities every year.

On her visit to Cardiff Central Train Station Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ruth Hussey will see how the campaign will be encouraging workers at Arriva Trains Wales to take up the Stoptober challenge to give up smoking for 28 days during October.

She said:

“Research shows that if you can stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to give up smoking permanently.

“Nearly 70% of smokers already want to stop smoking and by providing a detailed 28-day step-by-step programme to support them we hope we can encourage as many as possible to stop smoking for 28 days.

“Those that do give up smoking for 28 days and longer will begin to experience financial, physical and health benefits including better sense of taste and smell as well as reducing their risk of lung cancer and heart disease.

Rob Philips, Finance Director Arriva Trains Wales said:

“We think that Stoptober is a great opportunity to raise awareness amongst our staff for those who need help and support to give up smoking and we are really keen to support any of our colleagues who want to take part in this challenge.  

“At Arriva Trains Wales we are keen to encourage our employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle and we offer a range of initiative such as regular health checks, discounted gym membership and a cycle to work scheme – so Stoptober fits perfectly into our employee health and well-being strategy.”

Around 570,000 people in Wales smoke, which represents 23 per cent of the adult population.