A REDBRIDGE doctor is calling on smokers in the borough to try kicking the habit for good next month.

Chairman of Redbridge’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Dr Anil Mehta is urging people in the area to try lasting 28 days without a single cigarette as part of Stoptober.

Dr Mehta, who works at Fulwell Cross Medical Centre in Barkingside and lives in Chigwell, says saving £3,000 a year and avoiding serious health risks by giving up is a “no-brainer”.

The father-of-three said: “Trying to get people to give up is something we do every single day as GPs.

“Outside of work I always try and encourage any friend or family member who smokes to give up too as I have seen the devastating consequences first hand.

“The reality is, if you smoke, the consequences aren’t going to go away.”

Redbridge currently has less adult smokers than average, with 11.5 per cent of the borough’s population hooked compared with 17 per cent nationwide.

But for every 100,000 people, 220 of them aged 35 and over still die every year from smoking-related illnesses.

Dr Mehta added: “I have seen people who have been completely addicted to smoking for 25 or 30 years give up before.

“It’s never too late, so I would urge people to try this Stoptober.”

NHS England claims smokers are five times more likely to give up permanently if they try its 28-day challenge.

Dr Mehta added that he hopes the campaign will reach out to patients whose first language is not English, as there are often difficulties connecting with those groups.

For support with quitting smoking, contact your GP, local out of hours hub or pharmacy.

For more information on Stoptober, and to sign up for free, visit smokefree.nhs.uk.