A mobile stop smoking clinic and quit and get fit yoga and pilates classes are just some of the activities taking place over the next month. Haringey’s ‘Stoptober’ campaign officially kicked off today with specialist stop smoking advisors outside Wood Green Library offering support to residents to set a quit date and to take advantage of a range of free support throughout ‘Stoptober’.
Smoking remains the main cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK and in Haringey, with research showing that if people can stop smoking for 28 days they are five times more likely to quit for good.
This October also sees the launch of new national legislation which will make it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with anyone under the age of 18 present. Children’s exposure to second-hand smoke causes around 9,500 hospital admissions and 40 sudden infant deaths each year. To stand an even better chance of quitting and to reduce children’s exposure to second-hand smoke, smokers are also being encouraged to make their homes smoke free for ‘Stoptober’.
Cllr Peter Morton, Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said:
“Quitting smoking is the most important step anybody can take to living a healthier life, but we know that this is often easier said than done. That’s why events like those taking place across Haringey throughout ‘Stoptober’ are so important. They encourage people take the first steps to kicking their habit and direct them to expert support that’s available in the borough.”
