At 31%, smoking rates amongst Chinese males remain higher than the English national average, 18.4%

Stoptober campaign calls on smokers from the Chinese community to sign up together as research shows three in ten people are more likely to quit if a friend of colleague stops smoking

Smokers from the Chinese community are being urged to sign up to Stoptober – the country’s 28 day mass quit attempt from Public Health England – as research shows that one in three Chinese males (31%¹), are smokers, a rate that is higher than the national average (18.4%²). All those who sign up to this year’s Stoptober campaign will receive support and encouragement every step of the way from some of the nation’s top comedians.

To stand an even better chance of quitting, smokers are encouraged to sign up with their friends, family and colleagues, as evidence reveals that this type of ‘social quitting’ can dramatically improve people’s chances of successfully stopping.

Research shows that smokers are a third more likely to quit when a close friend (36%) or someone they work with (34%) stops. The data also shows that individuals are much more likely (61%) to smoke if a friend or someone they are close to smokes – showing the powerful influence that people’s social networks have on their own smoking behaviour.³

This is backed up by a study of smokers in Australia, Canada, the UK and the United States which shows that the fewer smoking friends someone has, the more likely they are to succeed in a quit attempt.

This year, Stoptober will be providing quitters with a personal touch from some of the nation’s leading comedians – Shappi Khorsandi, Bill Bailey, Al Murray and Rhod Gilbert. Messages of support and encouragement will be sent straight to quitters’ phones and emails throughout October.

Over a quarter of a million people across the country signed up to Stoptober last year with more than half making it to 28 days; this year, it is expected the campaign will welcome the millionth sign up. By stopping smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to stop for good.

Professor Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing for Public Health England said:

“Currently 31% of Chinese men are smokers, a rate that his higher than the national average. The benefits of stopping smoking are almost immediate: quitters will soon see reduced blood pressure, easier breathing and better circulation. It is one of the best things a person can do to improve their health and reduce their chances of developing long-term conditions and dying prematurely”

“This year, Stoptober will be providing people with more engaging and personalised support than ever. Along with receiving proven advice and support, participants this year will get encouragement every day from some of the best comedians in the country to help them reach 28 days smokefree. Sign up today and get ready to start your quitting journey with our support on 1 October.”

To sign up to the nation’s biggest mass quit attempt, search Stoptober online: Click Here