Medical Matters: Take the first step towards going smoke-free this Stoptober

October marks the start of Stoptober 2025, the national campaign encouraging smokers to take on the 28-day challenge and quit for good.

Nearly six million adults in England still smoke, that’s around one in seven people and here in Torbay, the figure remains higher, at around one in five adults. Smoking continues to be the single biggest preventable cause of illness and death, claiming around 64,000 lives every year in England. But the good news is it’s never too late to quit.

What is Stoptober?

Every October, Stoptober challenges smokers to give up for 28 days and evidence shows if you can make it that far, you’re five times more likely to quit for good. Now in its 13th year, the campaign has already inspired over 2.5 million people across the UK to make a quit attempt.

This year’s theme, “Let’s quit together”, highlights the power of community — encouraging friends, families, and colleagues to support one another and take the first step towards a smoke-free future.

Why quit?

Quitting smoking brings immediate and long-term benefits to both physical and mental health. Within days, your body begins to heal and within weeks, you’ll notice improvements in breathing, circulation, and energy levels.

The benefits start straight away:

• After 20 minutes – Your pulse rate begins to return to normal.
• After 8 hours – Oxygen levels recover and harmful carbon monoxide is reduced by half.
• After 48 hours – Carbon monoxide is gone; lungs begin to clear mucus; taste and smell improve.
• After 72 hours – Breathing becomes easier and energy levels rise.
• After 2–12 weeks – Circulation improves, making exercise and daily activities more enjoyable.

Quitting also reduces the risk of serious illness, including heart disease, stroke, respiratory illnesses, and several types of cancer. For those already living with a smoking-related condition such as COPD, stopping can greatly improve symptoms and quality of life.

Then there’s the financial bonus, with the average smoker spending around £39 per week on tobacco, quitting could save over £2,000 a year — money that could go towards holidays, hobbies, or family activities.

Support close to home

Quitting can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. We know that stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, but it can also be one of the hardest habits to break. That’s where our local services come in, we’re here to help every step of the way. 

The Your Health Torbay Stop Smoking Service provides free, flexible, and confidential support tailored to individual needs. Advisors can help you create a personal quit plan and offer nicotine replacement therapies or medications — free for those who don’t pay for prescriptions.

The service also works closely with local organisations to tackle factors like loneliness and boredom, which can often make quitting harder. To find local help, visit Home - Your Health Torbay

Download the Smoke Free app today and get six months access to experienced stop smoking advisors, available 24/7. Plus your choice of a vape or nicotine replacement delivered direct to your door. Smoke Free App - Subscription Activation

Digital tools and national support

Stoptober 2025 introduces enhanced digital tools to help people stay motivated throughout their quit journey:

• A revamped Stoptober app with daily motivation, a progress tracker, and a savings calculator.
• Access to peer support networks and online communities where people share tips, celebrate milestones, and support one another.
• Tailored online resources, including text message reminders, email coaching, and WhatsApp support.

You can also find free tools, resources, and community support through the NHS Better Health – Quit Smoking hub  www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking

Whether it’s your first quit attempt or your tenth, this October is your chance to take control, save money, and improve your health.

Because this Stoptober, you don’t have to quit alone — let’s quit together.