Smoking

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What are the dangers of smoking?

Smoking is directly linked to long-term, painful health conditions, as well as terminal illnesses. Making the decision to quit smoking reduces your chance of developing the following health problems:

• Cancer of the lungs, liver, throat, mouth and bladder
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Heart disease and stroke
• Impotence in men
• Cervical cancer in women
• Infertility
• High blood pressure
• Kidney failure

Smoking has been known to have a negative impact on your taste and sense of smell while passive smoking may also affect your health, sometimes triggering breathing problems such as asthma.

Why should I quit smoking?

Quitting smoking will significantly improve your health, enabling you to enjoy a healthier and longer life. It enhances your complexion by restoring grey, wrinkled and damaged skin to its natural colour. Your senses will improve, allowing you to properly enjoy the taste of food and drink without the biterness of tobacco in your mouth. Your personal hygiene will also improve as smoking can often lead to bad breath, stained teeth and gum disease.

Aside from these health benefits, quitting saves you a considerable amount of money as a 20-a-day habit costs over £2,000 a year to maintain.

How can I quit smoking?

Giving up smoking requires a treatment plan alongside the support and encouragement from your friends and family. It's possible to quit smoking on the spot, although it's more plausible, and therefore more advisable, to ease off cigarettes gradually to allow your body to fully adjust to the absence of nicotine. Speak to your doctor, agree to set a date when you wish to quit smoking, and track your progress with a journal or by simply ticking off days on a calendar.

Remember, this is a long-term process that may take weeks, months or even up to a year. Commitment and dedication is essential. Try subtle lifestyle changes such as spending less time around smokers and avoiding environments that invite smoking. If you want more guidance on how to stop smoking, then please visit our dedicated page by clicking here.

Which quit smoking treatment should I use?

The choice of treatment can be decided by you, or by your doctor, in person or via an online consultation. He or she will take into account certain factors such as your age, lifestyle and the amount of cigarettes you smoke. The most common methods of quit smoking treatment involve nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, which comes as a pill, patch, gum, inhaler or spray.

NRT can be obtained over the counter without a prescription, but the relapse rate is still high, with only 17% of people remaining permanently smoke free after their first attempt. Counselling or therapy is another alternative quit smoking method that can be explored.