Smokers can access free support to stop smoking this month as Stoptober begins.


Mid Essex Hospitals Trust is encouraging local residents to sign up the stop smoking challenge, which started on Thursday, October 1.


Dr Ronan Fenton, Medical Director at Mid Essex Hospitals said: “By stopping smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to stop for good.”


Participants can choose from a range of free support tools, including emails and texts from comedians Bill Bailey, Rhod Gilbert, Al Murray and Shappi Khorsandi.

This year, the first day of the Stoptober mass quit attempt coincided with the introduction of new legislation making it illegal to smoke in vehicles when someone under 18 is present.

Visit smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober