Smokers urged to quit for good

Smokers across Derbyshire are being encouraged to quit for 28 days during 'Stoptober', in the hope it leads to giving up cigarettes permanently.

Tuesday 1 October sees the start of this year's 'Stoptober' challenge - the annual campaign run by Public Health England. 

The challenge, which usually attracts thousands of smokers who are keen to quit, is also being endorsed locally by the county council. 

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, Councillor Carol Hart, said: "Smoking remains one of the biggest causes of preventable illness and premature death in Derbyshire.

"If you’re thinking of quitting smoking, Stoptober is a great opportunity to sign-up with thousands of other people who are keen to quit." 

Derbyshire has seen a reduction in estimated adult smoking from 20.5 per cent in 2010, to 15.1 per cent in 2017.

Cllr Hart added: “We’re pleased to see that the number of people smoking in Derbyshire continues to decrease and we’ll continue to support people who want to quit.

“We are working hard in Derbyshire to help reduce the harmful effects of smoking and our Live Life Better Derbyshire healthy lifestyles services offers free help and support to people who want to quit for good.”

Derbyshire County Council’s Live Life Better Derbyshire team will be holding a series of drop-in stop smoking information and support events throughout October.

None of these are in the High Peak, with the nearest being in Matlock - at The Arc on 1 October (10am to 2pm), Matlock job centre on 2 October (10am to 12.15pm) and Derbyshire County Council's County Hall on 14 October (9.30am to 3pm). 

However, Live Life Better Derbyshire also offers the option of booking into dedicated stop-smoking clinics - three of which are based in the High Peak.

On Wednesday mornings you can head to Buxton Old Hall Hotel and on Friday mornings you can go to the Adult Education Centres in Glossop and New Mills. 

You will need to book onto your chosen clinic by calling Live Life Better on 0800 085 2299 or 01629 538200.

There is also lots of other tips and information on stopping smoking available by visiting https://www.livelifebetterderbyshire.org.uk/services/stopping-smoking/stopping-smoking.aspx.