The beginning of October means a lot of things – it’s a change in the season with the arrival of autumn; it’s when everyone starts to think about their Halloween plans; and it’s when knitted jumpers and umbrellas make a return.
But most importantly, it represents the opportunity for smokers to quit their habit for good if they take part in the national health campaign, Stoptober.
What is Stoptober?
The NHS-led initiative was launched more than ten years ago in 2012, as a way to encourage smokers to put down their cigarettes for October in hopes they continue being smoke-free much once the month is over.
Although the method sounds simple, it is actually underpinned by lots of clever, psychological theories. For instance, more people are likely to stick to their change in habits during a mass movement than on their own.
This is because it normalises the new behaviour, as well as makes them more accountable if other people are also involved. Essentially, they are more likely to do better if they know other smokers are watching them and are also trying their hardest too.
Organisers tried to make Stoptober as positive as possible by providing encouraging messages, and sending postal packs and digital tools with advice and support for quitting.
The success of Stoptober
The scheme proved a success in its first year, so much so that it has carried on ever since. In fact, 2.3 million people are thought to have quit since its launch.
The number of participants who join the campaign every year demonstrates there is still a strong demand for support to quit.
How does it work?
Stoptober lasts for the month of October, with the idea being that it takes 28 days to break a habit.
In fact, it is thought that if you can go without smoking for this length of time, you’re as much as five times more likely to stop smoking forever.
What’s more, smokers get a huge amount of support during Stoptober to help them with their challenge. For instance, they can download the NHS Quit Smoking app that tracks progress, calculates how much money they have saved, count the number of days they’ve been smoke-free and get daily advice.
There is also a Facebook community, regular emails, an online Personal Quit Plan, and advice on stop smoking aids, such as vape liquids. They can also access help from local stop smoking services in their area over the month.
Reasons to quit
One of things Stoptober does is raise publicity of the many reasons for people to quit smoking, from boosting health to saving money.
If you’re looking to cut down on spending at the moment, quitting might just be the way to do it as it saves the average smoker as much as £2,000 a year!
Last year, deputy chief medical officer for England Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy also reminded smokers: “Smoking is a major cause of ill health, cancer and disability in England.”
“Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health,” she added.
It also improves quality of life, confidence and self-belief, particularly if you are successful.
Emeritus professor behaviour scientist at UCL professor Robert West stated: “What is really interesting is just how much of an impact self-efficacy, that sense of self-belief and confidence, has on quitting success.”
He added: “It really does show the power of the mind – self-belief when combined with other quitting aids such as vapes or NRT [nicotine replacement therapy] effectively equip people in giving up.”
In what ways can vapes help during Stoptober?
One of the things that makes Stoptober successful is that it provides lots of tips and advice on how to put your last cigarette down for good.
Giving smokers information on vaping as an alternative has proved to be very effective over the last few years, which is why the NHS promotes it as a quitting tool.
There are many reasons why taking up vaping is a good idea if you are taking part in this year’s Stoptober:
- Nicotine hit
For a start, e-cigarettes can still contain nicotine, which is in tobacco cigarettes too. This is the addictive element of smoking, so people really struggle when they stop, as it is the nicotine hit they crave.
However, if they are getting a dose of nicotine from their vaping liquids, they will be less tempted to pick up a cigarette.
It also means you won’t go through the nasty withdrawal symptoms, such as feeling low, restless, hungry, anxious, irritable, and finding it hard to concentrate.
What’s more, you can control how much nicotine you consume, as vapes come in different strengths. So, if, eventually, you want to reduce the amount of nicotine you have, you can do this in a controlled, manageable way.
According to the NHS, you are twice as likely to be successful in your endeavour to quit smoking if you use a nicotine vape in comparison with other NRT, such as gum or patches.
- Keep a smoking routine
It is also really hard for smokers to break habits, such as lifting something to their mouth, having a smoke after dinner, or enjoying a five-minute cigarette break.
Vaping gives them the opportunity to keep these habits or break them much more slowly without the health repercussions of smoking.
- Cheaper
Although you will still be spending money on vaping, the vape kits are much cheaper than cigarettes, so you will still be saving money by making the switch.
It is thought vaping is about one-third of the cost of smoking!
- Vape pens feel very similar to cigarettes
It can be weird trying something new for the first time, but if your agenda is to find something as similar to tobacco cigarettes as possible to help you ditch them forever, choose vape pens.
Otherwise known as vape bars or pods, they feel very similar to hold. As well as this, they provide high amounts of nicotine, helping with cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and make small clouds of ‘smoke’, which feels the same as smoking.
Although vaping doesn’t feel identical to a tobacco cigarette, this is as close as an ex-smoker can get to smoking once they have given up their habit.
The good news is that they will reap the physical and mental health benefits of not smoking anymore, especially if they are able to carry on long after the Stoptober campaign has come to an end.
