Stoptober 2023 – What’s happening across KHP
Every year, Stoptober provides individuals with a fresh opportunity to kick the habit and embrace a healthier lifestyle by quitting smoking.
This global campaign, which takes place throughout the month of October, encourages people to quit smoking for 28 days, with the hope that this commitment will lead to long-term smokefree living.
Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of illness and premature death in the UK but, if we work together, we can change that devasting outcome by making smokefree a reality.
When you stop smoking, good things start to happen! As soon as two weeks after quitting, smokers say they see positive changes in their life including they have more energy, they feel healthier, and their breathing improves. It’s never too late to have a go at quitting smoking, which is the best thing you can do for your overall health. Find the right combination of quit-smoking treatment that’s right for you and go for it.
– Dr Irem Patel, Joint Director of Clinical Strategy at King’s Health Partners
Smoking is likely to be the single best thing you can do to improve your health, but most people put it off until ‘the time is right’. Well, that time is now, as there is lots of support on hand to help
– Professor Ann McNeill, Professor of Tobacco Addiction at King’s College London
This Stoptober, there are heaps of planned activities and events across the partnership, which you are welcomed to be part of; some of the highlights are listed below. Please do reach out to your local smokefree teams if you would like support to quit smoking or you would like advice to help you support others to quit.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
The Trust’s Tobacco Dependence Advisors are running an art competition, with the theme “Why being smoke free is good for me”.
- All inpatients are invited to enter the competition by creating a hand-sized piece of art before the end of the month. Submissions will be supported by the Trust’s Occupational Therapists by way of digital (photographed) entries.
- Winners will be announced in November and prizes will be awarded to the best entry from each of the operational directorates.
- The Bethlem Gallery is providing judges for the competition as well as arranging exhibition of the winning entries, and prizes have kindly been provided by KHP’s Mind & Body Programme, King’s College London Nicotine Research Group and the Maudsley Charity.
For more information about the competition, or about Stoptober support at the Trust, contact: smokefreeready@slam.nhs.uk
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Visit a stall in the Golden Jubilee Wing ground floor on Friday 6 October, 11:30 - 1:30pm.
We will be offering CO readings, advice, information about local stop smoking services, information about nicotine vapes and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). We hope to have some posters for the campaign.
Good Things Happen When You Stop Smoking!
Contact: kch-tr.stopsmokingkings@nhs.net or phone: 0203 299 2600
Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Why not give Stoptober the 28-day stop smoking challenge a go! By stopping smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to stop for good.
To support your journey to become smokefree, we provide:
- Confidential assessment
- FREE nicotine replacement products, eg. patches plus mouthspray
- Tailored FREE ongoing treatment package combining medication & behavioural support to suit your needs
This offer is open to patients and staff.
Go on, challenge yourself!
Contact us to get more information and sign up:
Guy’s and St Thomas’ stopsmoking@gstt.nhs.uk
Royal Brompton and Harefield smokingcessation@rbht.nhs.uk
King’s Health Partners
To kick Stoptober off please join us for our international webinar series on population health and equity. In this series leaders discuss the latest in Danish and UK smoking habits, challenges and successes in addressing tobacco dependence with a spot light on innovations to support people with severe mental illness in south east London.
Webinar details: Population health and equity - long COVID
Tuesday 10 October, 12pm-1pm BST / 1pm-2pm CEST.