People across Middlesbrough are being urged to "make a fresh quit" with the launch of a major quit smoking campaign.
Middlesbrough Council is backing the Smoking Survivors campaign in partnership with Fresh. The campaign features real families from across the North East, sharing their personal stories and highlighting the profound impact smoking has had on their lives.
The initiative invites people who smoke to visit FreshQuit.co.uk for tips, advice, and local support, making the journey to a smoke-free life less stressful.
It ties in with Stoptober - the nation’s biggest mass quit attempt. Getting the right support can make quitting much less daunting – and if you make it to just 28 days quit you are five times more likely to stay stopped.
Just giving it a go for 28 days can feel less scary to some people. But you’re doing it in the knowledge that by the time you reach day 28, you’re well on the road.
Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, said: “Most people who smoke regret ever starting – it damages health and costs tens of thousands of pounds to smoke over a lifetime.
“The good news is that thousands of people every year successfully manage to quit smoking and have a better life by putting smoking behind them.
“Don’t ever give up on quitting even if you don’t succeed first or second time. Keep trying - next time it can be different.”
Mark Adams, Joint Director of Public Health South Tees, covering Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland, said: “We’re encouraging smokers across South Tees to give it a go for Stoptober. If you can be smoke free for 28 days you are five times more likely to quit for good.
“Whether it’s your first or tenth attempt at stopping, our stop smoking service offer a range of quitting tools and support to help every smoker make a fresh quit attempt.
“As well as Stoptober we are also supporting the “Smoking Survivors” campaign from Fresh featuring the story of a former smoker from South Tees who want to spare other people the pain of a smoking-related cancer. High-profile campaigns such as these have a key role to play in highlighting the reasons to quit and the benefits of stopping smoking.”
“We know that quitting smoking isn’t always easy but stopping smoking is one of the single most beneficial things that you can do for your health.”
For help to quit visit the Stop Smoking South Tees website.
How your body recovers when you quit
After 20 minutes
Your pulse rate starts to return to normal.
After 8 hours
Your oxygen levels are recovering, and the level of harmful carbon monoxide in your blood will have reduced by half.
After 48 hours
All carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
After 72 hours
If you notice that breathing feels easier, it's because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also your energy will be increasing.
After 2-12 weeks
Blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved.
After 6 weeks
Smokers who stop have better mental health than those who continue to smoke. One study found that benefits could be seen as soon as six weeks and were maintained even a number of years after stopping.
After 3-9 months
Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases.
After 1 year
Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker's.
After 10 years
Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker's.
Source: NHS