It is possible to quit smoking without piling on the pounds - Bob Blackman MP
Stoptober, the hugely successful stop smoking campaign from Public Health England, launched on 1 October and Slimming World has become a partner for this year’s campaign, urging smokers to quit without putting on weight.
Conservative MP Bob Blackman has told smokers to quit and assured them it is possible to give up without “piling on the pounds”.
The chair of the APPG on smoking and health, Mr Blackman spoke out to welcome the campaign and urge all smokers to “take advantage” of the support the campaign provides to help them “towards a healthier, longer life”.
New data has revealed that there are now twice as many ex-smokers (15 million people), than current smokers in England (7 million).
But Slimming World, who have partnered with Public Health England (PHE), has revealed that although smoking is the number one preventable cause of death in the UK, many smokers avoid trying to quit because they worry about putting on weight.
Slimming World has created tips, recipes and a special offer for people looking for support to manage their weight when they give up smoking.
Jenny Caven, Head of External Affairs for Slimming World, said: “We know that many people worry that they will pile on the pounds if they stop smoking, however the great news is you can give up smoking without gaining weight and, with Slimming World’s support, you can even stop and slim.
“Our Food Optimising eating plan, based on the science of satiety, helps people to satisfy their appetite without feeling hungry or deprived, while enjoying healthy everyday foods like fruit and veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, fish and lean meat. This empowers smokers to cope with the challenges presented by increased appetite and cravings, so that they can manage their weight and celebrate their sense of taste coming to life.
“At the same time, the support members get at any of our 16,000 groups or through our online programme helps quitters to break habits through a combination of shared experience and inspiration and motivation from fellow members.
“By identifying danger zones, planning for the week ahead and celebrating successes as they make long-term changes to their behaviour members are much more likely to succeed in forming new healthy habits. Slimming World’s Body Magic programme helps members to take advantage of their newfound energy when they’ve given up smoking by taking the threat out of activity and giving them the support and the confidence to build up gradually.”
Having started on 1 October and based on research that if you stop smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to stop for good, Stoptober is back for a fifth year, having driven almost a million quit attempts to date.
Professor Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing for PHE said:
“While it is amazing that there are over twice as many ex-smokers as current smokers in England there are still over seven million people regularly lighting up.
“Alongside unhealthy diet, smoking is the biggest cause of preventable early death in England, accounting for over 78,000 deaths a year. Quitters will soon see they have reduced blood pressure, easier breathing and better circulation. Stopping smoking is the best thing a smoker can do to improve their health.”
Mr Blackman told PoliticsHome: “Smoking remains the number one cause of disabling and preventable cancers, heart and respiratory diseases. It’s understandable that smokers may be concerned about putting on weight but the health benefits of stopping smoking far exceed the risks from a small temporary weight gain.
"People can make careful food choices and exercise, plus use of NRT or e-cigarettes to help with cravings, it’s possible to quit without piling on the pounds. I welcome the Stoptober campaign and urge all smokers to take advantage of the support the campaign provides to help them towards a healthier, longer life.”
As part of Slimming World’s commitment to the campaign partnership, it is offering discount for online membership during October and a free unique seven day eating plan packed with delicious menus and recipes to help quitters eat well and stay on track.
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