Smoking

Stoptober: Major benefits to most people who quit smoking, new govt data reveals

New research has revealed that the vast majority (95%) of people who quit smoking see positive changes to their health, as the government looks to ramp up stop-smoking messaging ahead of Stoptober.

While numbers continue to decline, more than five million adults still smoke in England; the habit remains the biggest cause of preventable death in the country, with 64,000 associated deaths a year.

A government report released last year put the annual cost of smoking to the NHS at £2.4bn, and wider societal costs closer to £17bn.

The new data was found after polling over 3,000 ex-smokers – it showed that, after two weeks, people:

  • Had more energy (45%)
  • Felt healthier (42%)
  • Could breathe easier (42%)
  • Saved money (34%)
  • Noticed their taste returning (25%)
  • Thought they had clearer skin (24%)
  • Improved their ability to exercise (22%)

Neil O’Brien, health minister, commented: “Stoptober will motivate thousands to quit smoking this October by providing people with the support and confidence to go smoke free.”

He continued: “We remain committed to our bold ambition to be smoke free by 2030, bolstered by a package of new measures giving vapes to a million smokers, new financial incentives for pregnant women to quit and new pack inserts to provide support to people to quit.”

Image credit: iStock

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