We’re encouraging our staff and patients to take part in this year’s Stoptober and give up smoking.

As part of the event an information stall was at Queen’s Hospital Yesterday (Thursday 6 October), where visitors, patients and staff had the chance to sign up to quit and could also get free health checks.

Run by Barking and Dagenham Council’s stop smoking team, visitors could have a lung check, to measure the amount of CO2 in the lungs, and blood pressure checks.

Consultant Richard Howard, Chairman of our Smoking Cessation Group, said: “Everybody knows how detrimental smoking can be to your health, so Stoptober is a great opportunity to give quitting a go, and we’re encouraging our patients and staff to join in.

“E-cigarettes, or vaping, have grown in popularity since last Stoptober, and are now the most popular aid to quit. We know that people who use these are making a real effort to reduce the harm of tobacco, and most want to quit completely. Therefore, while our hospitals remain smokefree, the use of e-cigarettes is permitted outside our buildings.”

Stoptober helps many smokers to quit as if you give up for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good.

For more information about Stoptober, or to sign up, visit the website.

Pictured are Dean Baldwin, health and fitness consultant, and Sean Hinds, stop smoking advisor.