Former Teesside smoker who had heart attack urging people to quit
Stoptober is underway
A Teesside man who had a heart attack from smoking is urging people to try and quit this month.
Stoptober is back and Fresh is encouraging smokers to join millions of others who have stopped successfully with the campaign. This year smokers can give their willpower a boost with more support to quit than ever before.
They say over five million adults in England and 11% in the North East still smoke – around 233,000 people. Smoking kills two out of three lifelong smokers, killing 75,000 people in England a year, making it the biggest cause of preventable illness and death.
The health benefits of stopping smoking start almost immediately. Evidence shows that for people quitting during Stoptober, if you stop for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
2025 is the 25 Year Anniversary for Stop Smoking Services in England – with services supporting around 400,000 successful quit attempts in the North East since the year 2000. With stop smoking service support, people are three times more likely to quit smoking than going it alone without any support.
A new independent survey of current North East smokers shows high motivation to quit – but it also suggests thousands more smokers could benefit from quitting aids and local stop smoking support to make a successful quit:
• 71% feel that their life would be much better if they stopped smoking
• Nearly half (46%) want to stop smoking and 64% have tried to stop before
• 6/10 (59%) did not use any quitting aids or support during previous quit attempts
Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, said: “Stoptober is a brilliant chance to make a quit attempt at a time when you know loads of other people are trying as well. By the end of the month you will have improved your health and saved money.
“There are more effective ways than ever before to help you quit smoking. Many people try with just willpower alone, but getting support can make your willpower go even further. Whether that’s switching to a vape, using quit smoking medication or help from a stop smoking advisor these can help you ease the cravings to put smoking behind you.
“The more times you try to quit, the more chance you will succeed.”
49 year-old John Stephenson, from Stockton, is the Public Health South Tees Strategic Services Manager for Middlesbrough Council, and he said: “Smoking remains one of the biggest causes of preventable death in the North East but accessing support to quit has never been easier. By accessing support from your local stop smoking service, you are three times more likely to quit than going it alone – we can do this together!
“As someone who smoked and had a heart attack as a result, I know how important quitting is. If you have been considering quitting, then Stoptober is the perfect opportunity to join others in becoming smoke free. Whether you are a first-time quitter, or you’ve tried before, this could be your time so get in touch with our Specialist Stop Smoking Service and start your journey to a smoke free future today.”
FreshQuit.co.uk offers a range of free quitting tools, from practical tips and advice to information on quit aids, and expert support from local stop smoking services – everything you need to help you quit successfully.
TIPS
It can take a number of attempts to successfully stop for good - but there are lots of ways to stop which can take a lot of the stress out of quitting.
Your chances improve if you use a quitting aid or switch completely to vaping to reduce cravings. Stop Smoking Services can also help you develop a plan to help you stop for good.
Here’s 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. Your energy will also 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
Great news! 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.