Smokers in Newham are being urged to quit the habit for good as part of a national campaign to get people healthier and smoke free.

Newham Council is backing Stoptober, a 28-day stop smoking campaign, which takes place every October. Approximately 22 per cent of adults in Newham are smokers. With half of all long term smokers dying prematurely, smoking is the nation’s biggest killer.

The annual quit month coincides with new research by Public Health England which shows the extra years of life that can be gained by giving up smoking and staying smoke free. If you quit smoking for Stoptober and don’t smoke again you could gain an extra seven days of life, every 28 days, for the rest of your life.

Along with massive health benefits, quitting saves the average smoker more than £150 a month and almost £2,000 a year.

Cllr Clive Furness, executive member for Health, said: “It’s never too late to give up smoking. Our Stop Smoking team provide free support and advice locally to all smokers who are interested in giving up and they have helped many thousands of people to quit the habit.

“I would encourage anyone who wants to give up smoking to take part in Stoptober and see what a big difference they can make to their health. Taking part in the challenge is a first step to a longer and healthier life.”

Stoptober takes place between October 1 and 28. For more information and to join the biggest stop smoking challenge of its kind, search ‘Stoptober’ online or visit www.newham.gov.uk/stopsmoking. Alternatively speak to your local pharmacist or call Newham’s Stop Smoking Service on 020 3373 6630 or 0800 013 1673.