Have you ever thought about quitting and just don’t know how to start? WellAware are here to help!
In this article, we will explore the reasons to quit or reduce smoking, effective strategies to help you break the habit, and resources for support along the way. Whether you’re attempting to quit for the first time or have faced setbacks in the past, there’s help for you.
What are the risks of smoking?
Quitting smoking is one of the most significant steps you can take to improve your health and enhance your quality of life. Despite the challenges and cravings that often accompany quitting and reducing, the benefits of giving up tobacco are profound and far-reaching.
Smokers are at a higher risk for numerous health issues, including heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory problems, but the good news is that the body begins to heal almost immediately after quitting.
- Cancer: Smoking is a leading cause of various cancers, particularly lung cancer, but also cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, and bladder. You can find out more about this by visiting Cancer Research UK.
- Respiratory Issues: Smoking damages lung tissue, leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smokers often experience reduced lung function and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Fresh Quit have a great article explaining how smoking causes COPD.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Smoking contributes to the buildup of plaque in arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. It raises blood pressure and reduces circulation, leading to long-term heart health problems.
- And… Money: the average cost of 20 cigarettes has now reached £17.50. That means a 20-a-day habit will set you back £6,400 per year! NHS Inform has made a calculator that you can use to see how much you could save by quitting. Click here to see your results.
Help to quit smoking
- Swap to Stop: service offers free, friendly, and non-judgemental support to help people quit smoking Tabacco products. It provides personalised advice, access to stop-smoking aids such as nicotine replacement therapy, vapes, or medication and ongoing encouragement from trained advisors. The service is designed to make quitting more achievable by tailoring support. Sign up through Smoke Free.
- Quit With Bella: an AI assistant app that will help you quit. Bella has been built on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) evidence guidelines and knowledge from hundreds of experts.
- NHS Stop Smoking App: The power to quit is in your hands with the NHS Quit Smoking app. Beat cravings with distraction activities, track your progress and see how much you’re saving.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapies: If you’re struggling to quit, there are a few medications that could help. Click the link to learn more about sprays, patches, lozenges, gum and inhalers.
