Stop smoking and save two lives

Giving up smoking in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) is a great way to get friends to sponsor your efforts, improve your own health and benefit a life-saving charity.

Thousands of people across the country begin Stoptober today – the mass 28-day stop smoking challenge, as the latest data shows that the incidence of lung cancer continues to increase amongst women, whilst dropping for men.

Over eight million people in England smoke and it remains the nation’s biggest killer, with half of long-term smokers dying prematurely from a smoking-related disease. Research shows that those who stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to stay smoke free.

Anyone taking part in the challenge can do so for GNAAS, which can build and maintain momentum during your smoke free journey, while encouraging others to follow suit. Simply set up a page on the charity’s Create and Donate website, then share on your favourite social networks or on email. Friends and family can then donate to your page, leave messages of support, and you can track your progress as you go along.

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, said:  “One in two long-term smokers die as a result of smoking, this is the single biggest cause of premature death taking more than 100,000 lives in the UK and costing the NHS up to £2.7bn each year.

“Taking part in the challenge is a first step to a longer and healthier life so have a go, by stopping with Stoptober.”

Jim Entwistle, Assistant Director at GNAAS, said: “If you’re looking for an excuse to stop smoking then get behind GNAAS and get healthy this year.”

To set up a Create & Donate page visit https://www.createanddonate.co.uk/ or for more information and to order your free resources search Stoptober online or visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober and begin your own 28-day smoke free challenge.