Latest figures from Public Health England show that smoking prevalence among adults in Cumbria has hit an all-time low and not smoking is now the norm.

As Stoptober launches, Cumbria County Council is encouraging smokers to make a quit attempt and join more than 25,000 people who have already quit since 2012.

Colin Cox, Cumbria County Council's Director of Public Health, said:

“Since 2012, smoking prevalence among adults in Cumbria has reduced significantly. We’re heading in the right direction to a healthier and smoke free Cumbria.

“Quitting is the best thing you can do for your health and the health of those around you. Each year smoking contributes to over 2,000 deaths in Cumbria in people over 35.

“Support is available from a variety of places including local stop smoking services, GPs, pharmacies and the Stoptober and NHS Smokefree websites."

Stoptober’s free quitting support includes the Stoptober app, Facebook group, daily motivational emails, a Personal Quit Plan and more. Smokers can also get expert face-to-face support from local stop smoking services, and those who do are three times as likely to quit successfully as those who try to quit using willpower alone.

Members of the public can find local stop smoking support by texting ‘pharmacy stop your postcode’ to 80011.

Additionally, GPs and pharmacists are on hand to provide advice and tips to help smokers quit, including what stop smoking aids might be right for them. Support from family and friends is also an important factor in quitting smoking, and the county council would encourage people to support others who are kicking the habit.

What's more, quitters can expect to save a packet, a 20-a-day smoker could save up to £75.39 a week, £323.10 a month and £3,931 a year by stopping smoking.

Georgina Ternent, Public Health Smoking Cessation Lead, said:

"Quitting is the best thing you can do for your health and the health of those around you. Whether you’ve tried to quit before, or this is the first time.

"Stoptober is the nation's biggest quit attempt, by taking part you become part of the movement and join thousands of people who are giving up this October. If you make it to 28 days, you’re five times more likely to stay smokefree."

Search ‘Stoptober’ or go to www.nhs.uk/Stoptober to find a wide range of free support.