SMOKERS in the Bradford district are being urged to consider their lung health and join the Stoptober quit attempt which starts today.

With the onset of winter illnesses such as flu and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, smokers are being urged to stop, giving them a greater chance of fighting respiratory illnesses.

Smokers who want to make the change can get free local support through Bradford Council’s Living Well website at mylivingwell.co.uk/smoking and by signing up to the Stoptober campaign at nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/.

Despite smoking rates being lower than ever before, in 2019 there were still over 72,000 smokers in the Bradford district which is higher than the regional and national average, with almost 6,000 hospital admissions each year attributable to smoking.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said:“This year has made us all look at how we live our lives and how we can improve our health to fight Coronavirus. Quitting smoking is vitally important to fight against any of the winter respiratory illnesses that take hold each year. We know quitting smoking is not easy but Stoptober is the right time to try.”