Comedic dance and entertainment act, and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists, Faces of Disco, will star in the nationwide Stoptober roadshow, which is in Liverpool on Thursday 1st October to mark the return of the nation’s biggest mass quit smoking attempt.
Stoptober, Public Health England’s 28 day stop smoking event, is back on 1st October following its success last year in helping over 260,000 people in their quit attempt. Evidence shows that if a smoker can go 28 days without a cigarette, they are five times more likely to stay permanently smokefree.
Smoking prevalence in Liverpool currently stands at 23% and the Stoptober roadshow at Williamson Square in the city centre, supported locally by Public Health Liverpool is coming to the area to encourage smokers to sign up for the month long campaign and give up for good.
The Stoptober roadshow will feature hilarious performances from dynamic entertainment troupe Faces of Disco, who shot to stardom in 2009 after reaching the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. Their newly created Stoptober routines and high-energy dance acts aim to provide encouragement and motivation to people wishing to taking part this year.
Liam Collins of Faces of Disco, who is also a former GB international athlete and bobsledder, as well as six times European Masters hurdles champion, says:
“I used to be a smoker but stopped after I realised the damage it was doing to my health. As an athlete I am passionate about healthy living, but as an ex-smoker I know it can be a struggle to quit, which is why I am supporting Stoptober this year. With Stoptober, individuals can get lots of support and free advice throughout their quitting journey, which can help ditch the habit for good. Through our entertaining and humorous street dance, we want to motivate smokers to take part in this years mass quitting event, and I am looking forward to helping as many people in Liverpool sign up to Stoptober this year.”
As well as being able to sign up to Stoptober at the roadshow, quitters will receive information, expert advice and support from local stop smoking service Roy Castle FagEnds. In addition, there will also be life-size health and wealth wheels; where smokers can track the benefits giving up smoking has on their health and bank balances.
This year, Stoptober will also be providing quitters with a personal touch from some of the nation’s leading comedians – Bill Bailey, Rhod Gilbert, Al Murray and Shappi Khorsandi. The comedians are all supporting the campaign due to their personal experiences of smoking and will be sending messages of support and encouragement straight to quitters’ phones and emails throughout October.
There will also be lots of tips, jokes and distractions available on Stoptober’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, along with support from the thousands of people quitting together.
The 28-day campaign starts on Thursday 1st October. For more information and to join the biggest stop smoking campaign of its kind, search ‘Stoptober’ online and sign up.
Lisa Williams, Service Manager for Roy Castle FagEnds, said: “Giving up smoking can be very difficult and we know it often takes more than one attempt for people to break the habit. The good news is that if you quit smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to quit for good.
“We want as many people as possible to give Stoptober a go. With the encouragement of friends, family, colleagues and our quit smoking service Roy Castle FagEnds, people have the best chance ever of giving up for good. So make sure you take advantage of the wide range of expert advice, information and support that is available.
“We also want to encourage you to come down to the Stoptober roadshow on Thursday. At the roadshow, you’ll be able to sign up to Stoptober, receive information, advice and support from Roy Castle FagEnds and be entertained by Britain’s Got Talent semi finalist, Faces of Disco.”
Dr Sandra Davies, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, said: “Signing up to quit smoking is singularly the best thing you can do for you and your family’s health. We know that the vast majority of smokers in Liverpool are keen to give up and our message is that there is lots of support to help with this, ranging from Stoptober through to our local services like Roy Castle FagEnds and our local pharmacies across the city.
“If you have tried unsuccessfully to stop smoking before, don’t be put off, give it another go, and join the thousands of people across the city signing up to Stoptober. By stopping smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to stop for good.”
