Quit Smoking

Smoking causes numerous diseases and health problems, some fatal, among both smokers and non-smokers. For this reason, smoking is prohibited in a growing number of public places and a wide range of support services has been developed to help individuals quit smoking.

Avoiding a smoking habit
Many smokers say they started smoking before the age of 16, even though the law prevents anyone selling tobacco, cigarettes or cigarette papers to those under this age. Avoiding the temptation to smoke at an early age is therefore important to prevent you developing a habit.

Reasons to quit smoking
People give up smoking for many reasons, from a desire to improve their health and to save money, to wanting to appeal to the opposite sex or reduce any potential harm on someone else’s health.

Physical benefits
• You breathe more easily
• Your risk of serious disease starts to fall
• Your blood vessels begin to reopen and your circulation improves
• Your energy levels start to rise as the carbon monoxide leaves your body
• Your skin warms up and begins to glow again
• Increased chance of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy and baby
• No more stinging, watery eyes

Lifestyle benefits
• Cleaner, fresher house
• No more holes in your clothes and cigarette burns on your furniture
• You no longer put those around you at risk
• Healthier children who are less likely to start smoking

Financial benefits
• You'll be a lot richer!

Social benefits
• Better tasting food
• Be more attractive to potential partners
• Your clothes, hair, breath and skin no longer smell of stale smoke
• You can go out and enjoy yourself without feeling that you have to smoke

Emotional benefits
• More confidence and self-esteem, knowing you've had the determination and willpower to give up
• Your energy levels are higher making you feel more alive and positive
Improving your health
In the UK one person dies from a smoking-related disease every four minutes. Smoking causes:

• lung cancer (smoking causes over 80 per cent of all lung cancer deaths)
• heart disease
• bronchitis
• strokes
• stomach ulcers
• leukemia
• gangrene
• other cancers e.g. mouth and throat cancer

It can also worsen colds, chest problems and allergies like hay fever, bronchitis and emphysema, as well as have unpleasant side-effects such as wrinkles and bad breath. Smoking can also make you cough, sneeze or feel short of breath when you exercise.

Boosting your sex appeal
It’s a myth that smoking helps you lose weight; in fact it can cause cellulite. And kissing someone with a mouth like an ashtray isn’t sexy.

Want to stop smoking?
When willpower alone is not enough, there are various treatments and plenty of support services to help you kick the habit

Using a support service
NHS Stop Smoking Services - smokers are four times more likely to quit by using NRT together with support from NHS Stop Smoking Services - compared with using willpower alone.

For your local service call: 0845 603 2166

Or Visit the NHS 'Giving up smoking' website (England and Wales only)
• texting ‘GIVE UP' and your full postcode to 88088
• telephoning the NHS Smoking Helpline (0800 169 0 169)
• asking your local GP practice, pharmacy or hospital

The Together programme is a government initiative, in England only, designed to help you quit smoking using a wide range of support materials.

The NHS Smoking Helpline (0800 169 0 169) in England and Wales offers free practical advice about giving up smoking, as well as a free information pack.

The 'Giving up smoking' website also offers people in England and Wales an ‘Ask an expert’ service.