This year, No Smoking Day takes place on Wednesday 12th March. As those who quit smoking for good experience real-life benefits – the theme for this year’s No Smoking Day is ‘Take back your life this No Smoking Day’.
Being smokefree can bring significant health benefits to almost anyone at any age as the body begins to recover. Quitting can also save you a packet. The average smoker can save around £48 a week by quitting smoking. That’s nearly £2,500 a year. Use this handy quit calculator tool to find out how much you’ve spent on cigarettes.
Many people try to quit “cold turkey” but getting support can really boost your chances of quitting – you’re up to three times more likely to succeed. Our team of health practitioners are dedicated to providing you with the support you need to quit smoking for good. We will work with you until you feel confident in your ability to remain smokefree.
There are also lots of products available to help you, such as nicotine replacement therapy or switching to a vape/e-cig to reduce some of the stress and anxiety that cravings can temporarily cause. Our NHS Health Improvement practitioners can advise on the best products for you as well as help you develop your own personal quit plan.
Here are some examples of the nicotine products available to help you quit:
Nicotine Replacement Therapy provides you with a low level of nicotine, without the tar, carbon monoxide and other poisonous chemicals in tobacco smoke. It can help reduce withdrawal effects, such as bad moods and cravings which may occur when you stop smoking. Using a patch PLUS a faster-acting type of NRT like mouth spray, gum, lozenge or inhalator gives you a better chance of stopping smoking than using one type of NRT alone.
Vaping allows people to inhale nicotine without most of the harmful effects of smoking, as the vapour contains no tar or carbon monoxide. Research has found that e-cigarettes can help you give up smoking, so you may want to try them rather than the medications listed above.
If you’ve been thinking about making the switch to vaping but you’re not sure it’s for you, check out Julie and Tyronne’s vaping success story for reassurance.
Research has shown that all these methods can really boost your chances of quitting successfully. What’s more, evidence shows that they are most effective if used alongside support from an NHS stop smoking service.
Stopping smoking can also reduce stress and boost your mental wellbeing. In fact, evidence shows that once people have got past the short-term withdrawal stage of quitting, they have reduced anxiety and stress and increased positive mood compared with people who continue to smoke. It’s also one less thing to worry about.
According to NHS Better Health, here is how your body recovers when you become smokefree:
After 20 minutes
Your pulse rate starts to return to normal.
After 8 hours
Your oxygen levels are recovering, and the level of harmful carbon monoxide in your blood will have reduced by half.
After 48 hours
All carbon monoxide is out of your body. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
After 72 hours
If you notice that breathing feels easier, it’s because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also, your energy will be increasing.
After 2-12 weeks
Blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles more efficiently because your circulation will have improved.
After 6 weeks
Research shows ex-smokers who have quit for at least 6 weeks have improved mental wellbeing than those who continue to smoke.
After 3-9 months
Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases.
After 1 year
Great news! Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker’s.
After 10 years
Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with that of a smoker. If you would like advice and support to quit smoking you can contact the One You Plymouth team today and we can help you take the first steps to becoming smokefree. Call 01752 437177 or email [email protected].