It’s October, and for many smokers that means Stoptober. Stoptober 2016 has been launched to help persuade smokers to try and give up for the month. Quitting for good often seems too much to achieve. The idea of giving up for just 31 days is more achievable, and it’s hoped that many of those who take part will end up quitting permanently once the month is up. Every year some people manage to do just that, and there are some success stories on the website you can read and be inspired by.
The event has been created by the NHS, and they have a dedicated section on their website that focuses on providing information and support for those wanting to take part. According to the site, smokers are five times as likely to stop smoking permanently if they can stop for 28 days to begin with.
Using e-cigarettes to help you quit
On the first page of the Stoptober site, there is a story about one man who quit smoking with the help of e-cigarettes. The site says they are ‘far safer’ than regular cigarettes, and e-cigs are recommended as a supportive way to help quit smoking during this month.
If you read the information on that particular page, you’ll see the NHS has provided details about vaping. However, they also suggest getting support in other ways, including Stop Smoking services.
Going cold turkey is probably the hardest way to do it. In the past, there was no such thing as electronic cigarettes. You had nicotine patches and gum, but that was about it. Of course, there has always been a lot of support for those quitting smoking, both from friends and family and from the NHS. But the presence of electronic cigarettes has definitely made a difference to many people.
Well done NHS
It’s good to know the NHS is recommending and suggesting e-cigs for those who are ready to try and quit. And even if you have only just thought about trying to quit in Stoptober, you can start on any day you choose. Remember – stopping for 28 days vastly increases the odds of being able to quit permanently. Additionally, using electronic cigarettes gives you more control over the amount of nicotine you are using each time. You can also choose from lots of different flavours and strengths. Many people have found it easier to quit smoking by switching to vaping instead, and it’s good to see the NHS appears to support the idea too.
Are you taking part in Stoptober this year? Maybe you’ve taken part in it in a previous year and it helped you to quit permanently. If so, are you still vaping? Some people continue to vape but switch to e-liquids without any nicotine in them. Are you one of them? Join in the discussion below and let us know what you think of Stoptober and the NHS’s support of vaping as a way to quit smoking for good.
