Stoptober campaign launches with support from businesses

The government has announced the launch of its Stoptober campaign for 2014, which encourages smokers to kick the habit for four weeks to help them quit completely.

This year's initiative has the backing of more than 250 companies and organisations, including Asda, the British Army and Unilever, who will be offering support to more than one million members of staff.

Evidence shows that if a smoker can go 28 days without a cigarette, they are five times more likely to stay permanently smoke-free. This understanding forms the basis of the Stoptober project, which was launched in 2012.

A total of 250,000 people took part in the 2013 campaign, of whom 65 per cent successfully abstained from smoking for the entire month.

This year's initiative also has the support of top comedians such as Paddy McGuinness, Al Murray, Simon Brodkin and Andi Osho.

Professor Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: "It is encouraging to see so many businesses and employers supporting Stoptober to help make their workplaces happier and healthier places for their staff."