Hounslow Council and its health partners are asking the borough's smokers to take up the Stoptober challenge and quit. There's plenty of help available.
Published: Wednesday, 4th October 2023
For smokers in Hounslow there’s never been a better time to kick the habit, because it could not only save you money - it could earn you some as well.
Hounslow Council has joined forces with BetterPoints - the borough-based app that rewards health and physical activity - to give smokers the chance to earn up to 25,000 points - the equivalent of £25.
October is national quit smoking month - also known as Stoptober.
If you can quit for a month, you’re five times more likely to keep going and give up for good but if need more of an incentive, then how about a bumper batch of BetterPoints to spur you on?
If you sign up for a free course to help you to stop smoking you’ll earn 5,000 BetterPoints - worth £5 after your first session. Stay the course and keep on quitting and you’ll receive the top prize 25,000 of BetterPoints.
BetterPoints can be exchanged for shopping vouchers or donated to the charity of your choice.
It’s a simple four-step process to kickstart your smoke-free journey to better health.
- Download the BetterPoints app (available for Android and IOS devices).
- Sign up for a free stop smoking course with Healthy Hounslow.
- Stop smoking and stick at it.
- Celebrate your success with a BetterPoints payout!
It’s a fact that smoking is really bad for you and giving up is the best reward.
Smoking leads to a long list of serious illnesses including lung disease, respiratory conditions, cancer and heart disease.
Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Transformation, Councillor Samia Chaudhary, said: “We are really excited to partner with BetterPoints to bring this offer to Hounslow.
“Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you will ever make for your health and the chance to earn a little bit of money as well is a great motivator.
“If you stop smoking, you will experience the benefits to your breathing and general health straight away. By stopping smoking you will also be helping to relieve pressure of our hard-pressed local health services.”
Cllr Chaudhary added: “The theme for this year’s Stoptober is good things happen when you stop smoking. By working together in Hounslow, we’re making that happen."
