Smokers in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to take up the Stoptober challenge – and quit smoking for good with support from local services.
Stoptober, beginning on Thursday (1 October, 2026), calls on smokers in the city to join the millions of people across England who have made a quit attempt since the annual challenge first began in 2012.
The goal is to reach 28 days smoke free, with research showing people who can stop smoking for four weeks are five times more likely to stay smoke free for good.
The City of Wolverhampton Council’s Live Well Wolverhampton service provides free support for any adult smoker living in Wolverhampton including a 12-week, tailored behavioural support plan and a vape starter kit or nicotine replacement therapy. To access support, visit Live Well Wolverhampton.
Also available locally is Swap to Stop, a world-first, government-backed scheme that provides a free vape starter kit and vape liquid, along with 12 weeks of behavioural support from trained advisors at convenient local community venues. Vaping is a proven, less harmful alternative for adult smokers to want to quit smoking and, when combined with support, is one of the most effective ways to quit. To find out more and sign up for free, please visit Stop Smoking Support in Wolverhampton.
Meanwhile, Stoptober offers a range of free quitting tools including the free NHS Quit Smoking app, available from the App Store and Google Play, which allows you to track your progress, get daily support and see how much money you are saving. You can also create a Personal Quit Plan online – visit NHS Quit Smoking for more details.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do to improve your health, protect your loved ones, and save money.
“It reduces your risk of serious illness like cancer, heart disease and stroke, and will have a significant positive impact on both your physical and mental health.
“After 48 hours, your senses of taste and smell will be better, after two to 12 weeks, your circulation will have improved, making you feel healthier and fitter, and after 3 to 9 months, your lung function will have increased by up to 10%, meaning less coughing and wheezing.
“After a year, your risk of a heart attack will have halved, and after 10 years your risk of death from lung cancer will have been cut in half, compared to smokers.
“Quitting also helps protect others from your second-hand smoke, and could save you thousands of pounds a year.
“With the right help, you have a much better chance of stopping smoking – and there’s free support available locally in Wolverhampton and nationally through the NHS.
“So this October, why not join the thousands of smokers committing to quitting? Remember, if you are able to stop smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to give up for good.”