Coleg y Cymoedd call on the community to sign up to Stoptober

Coleg y Cymoedd call on the community to sign up to Stoptober and encourage their loved ones to do so as the true cost of smoking is revealed.

Ahead of the start of Stoptober on Thursday, Coleg y Cymoedd are calling on learners and staff, along with their friends and family, to sign up to the 28 day national challenge, as Stop Smoking Wales reveal the financial impact of smoking to the local community.

The financial benefits of quitting smoking are substantial and the money saved by quitting can make a real positive impact to an individual or family’s life. By quitting smoking, a typical 12-a day smoker could save around £1752 a year.

By collectively stopping smoking for a year, Rhondda Cynon Taff residents could save over £80million per year – enough to employ at least 2,500 fully qualified teachers a year.

Coleg y Cymoedd is encouraging the smoking population of the local communities of its 20,000 learners from across the Valleys, as well as the 900 staff they employ, to sign up to Stoptober on the Stop Smoking Wales website and to share their pledge with friends and family on social media.

Judith Evans, Principal at Coleg y Cymoedd, said: “We are proud to work alongside Stop Smoking Wales to encourage our students, staff and the local community to collectively quit smoking for a minimum of 28 days and reap the financial and health benefits.

“It is important our communities are aware of the free service, support and advice that Stop Smoking Wales offers to those looking to quit smoking to give them the best chance to kick the habit for good.”

As well as the financial benefits, people who quit smoking will notice their health improving in a short period of time, with breathing becoming easier after 72 hours, blood circulation improving after a fortnight and after a year of being smoke-free, the risk of heart attack falling to half that of a smoker; resulting in a healthier, more energised body.

Ashley Gould, Specialty Registrar at Public Health Wales, said; “Research shows that people who manage to kick the habit for 28 days are five times more likely to quit smoking for good so we’re urging smokers to give their bodies and their bank balances a boost by signing-up to the Stoptober challenge.”

Smokers that sign up to the Wales’ biggest stop-smoking challenge will receive a starter pack to help equip them for a successful Stoptober, as well as the offer of continued support and encouragement throughout the month from Stop Smoking Wales.

Stop Smoking Wales supports quitters in Wales through face to face sessions, a telephone service and its innovative online tool at Stop Smoking Wales

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