AS STOPTOBER sets in, thousands of people across the country are attempting to kick the habit of smoking.

Those trying to quit are five times more likely to be successful if they have stopped smoking for a month, and many people hope this month will provide a platform to become permanently smoke-free.

But as the month dedicated to smoke-free living starts, it was revealed that Somerset’s service to help people quit is set to be axed next year.

The Smokefreelife Somerset will end at the end of March, earlier than expected.

Somerset County Council (SCC), which pays for the service, is currently facing a £24 million over-spend, and is expected to lose a further £40 million of direct government funding by 2020/2021.

The county council is looking for alternative ways to deliver a service that helps people quit.

Smokefreelife Somerset is the local trading name of Solutions 4 Health.

This is the local stop smoking service which exists to provide behavioural support and medication to people who are ready to quit smoking.

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “We are committed to continuing to support people to stop smoking, but given the council’s shrinking budgets we have to look at how we can best do this in the most cost-effective way.

“We can confirm that we’ve held discussions to end our contract with Solutions 4 Health early so we can make savings and efficiencies, but also so we can look at options for how the service can be delivered differently in Somerset in the future.

“As a council, we have had to save more than £100 million over the last five years, and expect to lose a further £40 million of direct government funding by 2020/2021.

“This means we have to look at all of the services we provide and consider where efficiencies can be made.”

Earlier this year, local authorities in the South West ended funding to Public Health Action.

That organisation existed to run regional tobacco control programmes, through mass media campaigns to promote smoking cessation, smoke-free homes and campaign against illegal tobacco.

It was funded by local authorities across the South West.

Public Health Action is still running, but it is no longer just not commissioned by the local authorities collectively anymore.

According to Public Health England, the number of smokers in the South West is at a record low.

Only 15.5 per cent of the local population still smoke, with the overall figure falling 3.2 per cent over the past four years, and the number of people addicted to cigarettes continues to fall.

According to data from Nielsen, sales of cigarettes have fallen by 14.15 per cent over the past year in the South West.

Not only does quitting have health benefits, but it also means financial savings a benefit on your purse. A packet of 20 cigarettes can now cost in excess of £10, due to continued tax hikes by the government, and the increase in price has also encouraged people to quit.

Professor Debra Lapthorne, centre director for Public Health England South West, encouraged more people to stub out the habit.

Professor Lapthorne said: “While we know that quitting smoking is not easy, this Stoptober is a perfect time to try again.

“The best thing a smoker can do for their health is to stop smoking.

“There is more help and support available now than ever before.

“The introduction of standardised packs removes the glamorous branding and brings health warnings to the fore and e-cigarettes, which many smokers find helpful for quitting, are now regulated to assure their safety and quality.

“We also have a range of free support that can go direct to your phone, laptop or tablet via the Stoptober app, a daily e-mail service or Facebook Messenger bot.

“The new Stoptober website also has advice and information on stop smoking services and quitting aids.

“Stoptober has helped lots of smokers quit for 28 days and beyond.

“So if you smoke, why not make this Stoptober the time you quit – for good.”

According to the Tobacco Profiles, in Somerset, 228.9 out of 100,000 deaths can be attributed to smoking, and 1,607 per 100,000 hospital admissions are is because of smoking in people 35-years-old and over.

Services are available through SCC to stop smoking, and it is encouraging people to take up the Stoptober challenge.

Cllr Anna Groskop, cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, also called on more people to quit put down the cigs.

Cllr Groskop said: “Why not take up this great opportunity to use all the free support available to improve your health and feel better by quitting this Stoptober.”

If you want to quit smoking, there are a number of methods you can still use.

Contact your local pharmacy or your GP who can help provide advice on how best to quit in a way that suits you/ For more information online about how to quit, visit www.smokefreelifesomerset.co.uk.

For more information about the Stoptober Challenge, which also offers advice and stories of people who have been able to quit, visit the website nicorette.co.uk/stoptober.

County Gazette reporter Alice tells us about her experience of Stoptober:

I DECIDED to quit smoking as soon as I saw the Stoptober campaign.

I found smoking to be a good stress release, a way to relax and a great social tool to meet people.

I had been smoking on and off for around two years knowing the whole time that it was bad for my health.

I have managed to quit for a few months once before but after seeing the Stoptober campaign and the damage smoking can have on your health, long term, I decided to take on the challenge.

I decided to use a vape pen to place cigarettes as I thought I would miss holding a cigarette mostly and the activity of smoking.

At first, using the vape pen felt strange, I was still craving nicotine and the menthol flavour liquid that resided in my vape pen most certainly did not taste like tobacco.

I was missing the kick, the nicotine rush that cigarettes had given me.

The first week was really difficult but there was some comfort in knowing that I could go outside and use my vape pen if I wanted to but my nicotine cravings were still there.

It has now been nearly two weeks since I decided to take on the challenge and I have nearly completely stopped craving nicotine .

I have now started to dislike the smell of cigarettes and have learnt to overcome my cravings by distracting myself when they come around.

Since quitting, I have seen a great deal of benefits in my general health and my overall mood.

I would urge anyone who thinks they want to quit smoking to quit.

I didn’t think I could do it at first but now I feel healthier because of it.