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.
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.
Avoiding a smoking habit
Many smokers say they started smoking before the age of 18, 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.
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)
- stomach ulcers
- heart disease
- bronchitis
- leukaemia
- gangrene
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.
Saving money
Calculate how much your smoking habit is costing you in terms of money and you might be surprised how much you could save.
Protecting other people's health
Breathing in other peoples cigarette smoke, called secondhand smoke, can also cause cancer.
- smoking around children - children exposed to secondhand smoke are twice as likely to get chest illnesses like croup, pneumonia bronchitis and bronchiolitis, and more likely to get ear infections, tonsillitis, wheezing and childhood asthma
- mothers-to-be and smoking - smoking during pregnancy can affect both you and your babys health, and if you are exposed to secondhand smoke this can pass on harmful gases and chemicals to your baby
- smoking in public - smoking is banned by law in many public places, including: all forms of public transport; theatres; cinemas; and public buildings
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. Find your nearest service by:
- visiting 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, while in Scotland, Smokeline (0800 84 84 84) provides free confidential advice and support
The 'Giving up smoking' website also offers people in England and Wales an Ask an expert service. The Smokeline website offers a similar private and confidential service in Scotland.
NB: For more valuable information and guideline visit: Quit Smoking
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