More Brighton and Hove smokers kick the habit

As the NHS launched its Stoptober campaign yesterday, calling on smokers to not smoke for the whole of October, Brighton and Hove City Council revealed the huge number already quitting in the city.

Almost two-thirds of 3,529 smokers who attended Stop Smoking Services in Brighton and Hove between April 2012 and March 2013 quit.

And this year a further 2,000 have attended.

The council highlighted Florence Singleton, a 77-year-old who is now enjoying a smoke-free life having started the habit as a teenager and smoking 20 a day for most of her life.

As she reached her 70s she was determined to quit and tried unsuccessfully on several occasions. Finally as one chest infection followed another she was alerted to the Stop Smoking Service while visiting her GP.

Mrs Singleton visited Mike Dixon, specialist stop smoking service advisor, on a one-to-one basis for several weeks and managed to quit at last.

She quit last Christmas and has not had a cigarette since.

Mrs Singleton said: “More people need to know about this fantastic service. I had my lungs tested recently and they are clear now, in fact I have the lungs of a 58-year-old. I couldn’t have done it without Mike.”

Mr Dixon, smoking cessation specialist, said: “Florence is a perfect example of what can be achieved and of course that it’s never too late to stop.

“She has a very busy life and is an active member of the Older People’s Council, all a testimony to her determination.

“I work on the principle that encouragement and support works better than fear.

“Smokers know the facts, but this doesn’t make it any easier to beat the habit.

“We look at the psychology of addiction and maintain support through the first days, weeks and months if necessary.”

Stoptober is an NHS campaign designed to encourage people to stop smoking.

The challenge is for smokers to stop for 28 days in October, with statistics showing those who complete the challenge are five times more likely to stay smoke-free.