Ahead of the New Year, Stop Smoking London have launched a campaign to help more Londoners make 2021 their time to quit smoking for good. They’ve published two new guides on their website. One looks at how smokers can make their New Year’s resolution to quit a success. And another goes into the role that friends and family can have in helping their loved ones succeed.
The first new guide, aimed at smokers, provides a range of tips on planning, keeping motivated and on track during a quit journey. This includes the importance of being clear and focused on why you are quitting from the start, and how to get the people closest to you behind you.
Dr Somen Banerjee, Vice Chair of the ADPH London Network and London Smoking Cessation and Tobacco Control Lead, said:
“New Year’s resolutions can often fail because people are aiming for an overhaul of their entire lifestyle rather than focusing on one behaviour change. The information on the website will help London smokers at this important time of year for quitting.”
Professor Kevin Fenton, Public Health England’s Director for London said:
“There are just under a million smokers in London, which represents 14.6 percent of the country’s smokers. The health benefits of giving up the habit are many and can occur quickly, improving your health overall.”
“As the new year fast approaches, it brings with it another opportunity for a fresh start. With these new guides, plus evidence based local, regional and national smoking cessation support, 2021 can be the year you quit smoking for good – for your own benefit and for those around you.”
Stop Smoking London’s insight work with smokers across the capital in 2018, and again in 2020, found that saving money and better health topped people’s reasons for wanting to quit – and that next on that list is family.
Not only are family a great motivator, but most smokers who quit for good don’t do it on their own. They get lots of help from the family and friends around them. This is because when people feel supported, they can feel encouraged to make positive life changes.
But sometimes friends or family with the best of intentions can fall into the trap of nagging rather than supporting. The second guide therefore provides advice for loved ones. It includes how to help someone plan, deal with their smoking triggers and manage the stress caused by nicotine cravings.
Some smokers may try to quit with willpower alone, however research suggests that only three in one hundred smokers manage to stop permanently this way. By combining different support methods, you can double, and in some cases triple, your chance of quitting long term.
Read more on ‘how to make 2021 your time to quit smoking’ and ‘how to support a loved one to quit smoking’ at www.stopsmokinglondon.com/guides.
You can also find out more about all the tools and resources available on the Stop Smoking London website at www.stopsmokinglondon.com. Here you can search for your local stop smoking service which provides free, personalised, one-to-one support and are operating during the pandemic.
Alternatively, you can start a web chat or call the helpline on 0300 123 1044. Both services are available 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 4pm at weekends.
