SUPPORT and advice to help smokers give up smoking during the nation’s mass 28 day stop smoking challenge Stoptober is available at a free health fair next week. A range of organisations will be available to help anyone with their Stoptober quit at The Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton on Thursday, October 9 from noon until 5pm. There will also be a chance to find out about other aspects of giving up such as dealing with anxiety, depression and stress, avoiding weight gain, physical activity, keeping your lungs healthy and healthy eating and a chance to try out various physical activities. Christine Lawrence, chairman of the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “Stoptober is a great time to quit smoking as lots of people are doing it together. In Somerset last year around 2,189 signed up to commit to quit smoking. We hope even more will sign up to commit this year.

"Come along to the health fair as there will be masses of help and support available and find out from the experts the real facts about smoking and stress. It probably isn’t what you think!

“In the evening also why not come along to the comedy show at the Taunton Brewhouse held in support of Stoptober – swapping fags for gags?

"We would love to see anyone who has quit through Stoptober in previous years, who is quitting this year, or perhaps who intends to have their last smoke at the interval of the show, as well as anyone else who just fancies an evening of laughter.”

There will be a raffle held during the evening to raise funds for BreatheEasy (British Lung Foundation) .

Show tickets cost £10 from www.tauntontheatre.org.uk