Stopping smoking can make a big difference to your health and lifestyle.
It is never too late to stop smoking to greatly benefit your health. For example, if you stop smoking in middle age, before having cancer or some other serious disease, you avoid most of the increased risk of death due to smoking. Help is available if you find it difficult to stop smoking.

What are the health benefits of stopping smoking?

The benefits begin straight away. You reduce your risk of getting serious disease no matter what age you give up. However, the sooner you stop, the greater the reduction in your risk.

How can I stop smoking?

About 2 in 3 smokers want to stop smoking. Some people can give up easily. Willpower and determination are the most important aspects when giving up smoking. However, nicotine is a drug of addiction and many people find giving up a struggle. Help is available.

Tips to help you stop smoking

Write a list of the reasons why you want to stop, and keep them with you. Refer to them when tempted to light up.

Set a date for stopping, and stop completely. Some people prefer the idea of cutting down gradually. However, research has shown that if you smoke less cigarettes than usual, you are likely to smoke more of each cigarette, and nicotine levels remain nearly the same. Therefore it is usually best to stop one and for all from a set date.

Get rid of ashtrays, lighters and cigarettes.

BE POSITIVE. You can tell people you don’t smoke. You will smell better. After a few weeks you should feel better, taste your food more, and cough less. You will have more money.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can help if withdrawal symptoms are troublesome. Nicotine gum, sprays, patches, tablets, lozenges and inhalers are available. Using one of these roughly doubles your chance of stopping smoking if you really want to stop. A pharmacist, GP, practice nurse or Stop Smoking Clinic can advise about NRT.

FURTHER HELP AND INFORMATION

Quit - a charity that helps people to stop smoking. Telephone 0800 00 22 00 or visit www.quit.org.uk

NHS Smoking Helpline- Telephone 0800 169 0169 or visit www.givingupsmoking.co.uk