THE Swindon campaign to help people quit smoking has claimed a well-earned victory after it emerged the town racked up the highest number of quitters in the South West last year.

No fewer than 1,279 smokers successfully stubbed out the habit, from 2,029 who set out to give up between April 2013 and March 2014, according to the Health and Social Care Information Centre.

The figure represented a 63 per cent success rate for the town, compared to 52 per cent in the South West and 51 per cent in the whole of England.

The rate of successful quitters in the region was at its lowest in Bristol, Dorset and Plymouth, at 43 per cent.

Cherry Jones, acting director of public health at Swindon Council, welcomed the news but vowed not to become complacent.

“Helping people to give up smoking is a high priority and it’s great news that statistics indicate strong progress is being made here,” she said.

“The figures show that more than 2,000 people in Swindon attempted to kick the habit with the help of one of our local stop smoking services last year and over 60 per cent were successful.

“We know that giving up smoking can be hard, but that people are far more likely to succeed if they call on the free support available, through the Swindon Stop Smoking service, local pharmacies and GP practices.

“As a council, together with partner organisations, we do lots of work to create an environment where people feel supported to quit and stay quit.

“The Be There Tomorrow and Illegal Tobacco campaigns are recent examples of this.”

Meanwhile, the national Stoptober campaign is currently underway, challenging smokers to give up next month for 28 days as a catalyst to quit for good.

“We’re supporting this locally and I urge anyone who is contemplating giving up to sign up,” Cherry added.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all ex-smokers who have given up – we don’t underestimate how hard it can be, and are committed to continue providing as much practical support and encouragement as possible.”

In Swindon, 1,908 residents of white origin attempted to quit, compared to 20 Asian and Asian British and nine black and black British residents.

Out of them, 1,187 white, 17 Asian and eight black residents kicked the habit.

Life is hotter withut smoke

LAST year I took on the challenge of Stoptober, promising to stub out the habit for just a month to improve my health and the size of my wallet.

For those four weeks I tried and tested a number of methods and medications available on the NHS to help me quit, including nicotine inhalers, nicorette gum, mouth spray and nicorette patches.

It was tough. Nicotine is a chemical substance as addictive as heroin, and I loved being a smoker.

I had a couple of slip ups during Stoptober itself, and by Christmas I was back up to my 15 or 20 fags a day after the stress of worklife, home life and  family life all piled on top into an overwhelming mess.

But on February 9, I decided to try again. This time without the fanfare, without telling anyone, I went cold turkey.

From previous experience I knew that if I could get through days one, three and then five, then it would get increasingly easier until I’d forget that I ever smoked at all.

It’s now been seven months and seven days since I quit smoking. 
I’ve saved £1,229.62 – the equivalent of a return flight to Australia – I’ve bought back 13 days of my life, and I have never been stronger, healthier, or happier.

I still miss smoking. I’ll always be an addict. But life is definitely hotter without the smoke.
ELIZABETH MACKLEY