Support Healthy Hounslow’s Stoptober campaign 2024

Stoptober is the Department of Health and Social Care’s annual stop smoking campaign, based on evidence that if a smoker makes it to 28 days smoke-free, they are five times more likely to quit for good.

Healthy Hounslow has localised the campaign to make it relevant to anyone who lives, works, studies, or has a GP in Hounslow. The campaign aims to encourage the almost 40,000 smokers in Hounslow to give quitting a go this October with support from the Healthy Hounslow service. Residents can earn up to £50 in BetterPoints if they quit smoking with Healthy Hounslow.

Healthy Hounslow has created - “What’s your stop priority?” – where they encourage smokers to think about their motivation for quitting smoking.

How you can support Stoptober

Whether you’re a GP, NHS Trust, charity, service provider or employer, there are lots of opportunities to support Stoptober.

• Attend Healthy Hounslow’s Very Brief Advice (VBA) training to feel confident engaging in impactful conversations with residents about how to quit smoking: Smoking VBA training Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite.
• Use Healthy Hounslow’s assets (attached) in your social feeds and websites. Signpost to Healthy Hounslow for support: https://healthyhounslow.co.uk/stop-smoking-stoptober/ .
• Print and display posters/leaflets. Contact Fatima fatima.abdi@more-life.co.uk if you would like to receive printed campaign collateral.
• Use the digital screen assets in your places of work/waiting areas.
• Share key messages through your local communication channels.
• Attend community outreach activities – you are welcome to join Healthy Hounslow, please see a timetable of where they will be located below.
• Share the campaign information and resources with anyone who has regular contact with smokers and encourage them to refer smokers to Healthy Hounslow. 

​​​​​​​ Stoptober officially starts on 1 October, key messages include:

• Stop smoking for the 28 days of Stoptober and you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
• Over 2.5 million people have quit smoking with Stoptober – join thousands of other smokers committing to quit this October.
• Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. When you stop there are almost immediate improvements to your health.
• It’s never too late to quit smoking. Even if you’ve tried quitting before, give it another go this Stoptober.
• There’s no need to go it alone – it’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support and there are lots of options to choose from.
• Getting free expert support from your local stop smoking service is proven to give you the best chance of quitting successfully. Healthy Hounslow offers free behavioural support, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and vapes to help you quit smoking.
• You can earn up to £50 in BetterPoints if you quit smoking with Healthy Hounslow, which can be exchanged for high street vouchers.