With Stoptober coming back for a fifth year this October, Illume is encouraging clients and other members of the community to take this opportunity to quit smoking for good.

Some 2.5 million smokers took part in the challenge last year and, out of these, 500,000 people (20%) were successful in quitting which made Stoptober 2015 the most successful yet.

Practice owner and clinical director at Illume, Tim Rumney says: “I was delighted to see recently released Public Health England figures showing that the smoking rate in England has fallen to below 17% for the first time.

“Smoking causes teeth to become very stained and need a lot more cleaning but it is much more serious than that. Smoking is a major risk factor for developing gum disease and mouth cancer.

“In fact, figures from the Mouth Cancer Foundation show that in 75% of oral cancer cases in the UK smoking is a factor, so it is worth doing all you can to give up,” he added.

Last year Stoptober saw more than one million people (1,027,000) use an e-cigarette in a quit attempt while around 700,000 used a licensed nicotine replacement product such as patches or gum. 

Tim added: “Whatever method people choose, I would just encourage them to be part of this year’s Stoptober which starts on October 1 and is based on research that by the time you have quit for 28 days you are five times more likely to stop for good.

“I know it can be difficult to stop smoking but Stoptober also offers a lot of extra support with celebrities such as Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood, also joining the effort to kick the habit,” he added.

To find out more about Stoptober please visit https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stoptober

Illume also offers a Healthy Mouth Review where all clients will be screened for gum disease and signs of mouth cancer and other diseases of the soft tissues of your mouth (tongue, cheeks, lips, palate and floor of mouth). 

Please contact the practice today on 01242 522230 to make an appointment.