HEALTH workers in Wyre Forest are encouraging the community to stop smoking as part of the national Stoptober campaign.

NHS Wyre Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is backing the campaign as it says smoking costs the Worcestershire NHS about £19 million a year.

The campaign, which runs throughout October, is organised by Public Health England and challenges people to quit smoking while encouraging them to live healthier and happier lives.

Dr Simon Rumley, chairman and clinical lead for Wyre Forest CCG, said: "For many people giving up smoking can be daunting, but taking the Stoptober challenge is a great way for people to quit and offers all the support that smokers may need to take the first step to stopping for good.

"People who stop smoking for 28 days and longer will begin to experience physical and health benefits including better sense of taste and smell and a reduced risk of conditions such as lung cancer and heart disease.

"There are also huge financial benefits to stopping smoking, freeing up more money to spend on things people enjoy."

Free resources are available to support people with their attempts to quit, including a stop smoking pack, a mobile phone app, and text support with daily updates, quitting advice and tips for coping.

For more information about Stoptober visit stoptober.smokefree.nhs.uk/registration-c.

Further help and support is available from stop smoking services run in the county by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Worcestershire County Council.