Useful Links

Local Stop Smoking Support

If you're thinking of stop smoking, you're not alone. The NHS Go Smoke Free will give you all the advice and support you need. Remember evidence shows that you are four times more likely to stop for good if you get the right support. Why not visit one of the arranged sessions to seek the help and support you need:

For more information or to find other 'Stop Smoking' advice sessions please call 0800 587 4865 or visit http://smokefree.nhs.uk/

Why quit?

If you've tried quitting and have gone back to smoking, you're not alone. In fact most people who successfully quit will have tried, and failed, several times. But please don't give up on giving up; if you're committed to quitting, you can do it, as over a million people who have successfully quit on No Smoking Day prove.

Everybody has their own personal reason for wanting to give up smoking. Some people give up as part of a larger lifestyle change - to feel more healthy, for example. What are yours?

• For better health
• For more money
• For more energy
• To prevent premature ageing
• For whiter teeth
• For lower stress levels
• For an improved sense of taste and smell
• For the sake of your family and friends

Whatever your reason this website is full of information and advice as well as tips and tricks about how you can give up smoking for good.

This section is here to remind you of the reason you are quitting.

Here's the good news: the health benefits begins almost as soon as you quit. After ...

• The risk of developing lung cancer, other cancers, heart attack, stroke and chronic lung disease is reduced - the sooner you stop smoking, the sooner your risk starts going down
• Stopping smoking at any age increases your life expectancy, provided that you stop before the onset of serious disease. Even if you have developed a disease, you can benefit from stopping as your body will be under less strain.
• A smoker who has suffered from a heart attack can halve the risk of a second heart attack by stopping smoking
• Ten years after quitting smoking an ex-smoker's risk of lung cancer is reduced by 30 to 50 per cent compared with that of a continuing smoker
• Smokers who stop before the age of 35 have a life expectancy not significantly different from that of a non-smoker
• But it's never too late. Smokers who give up smoking between 65 and 74 years of age have a better life expectancy beyond 75 than those who continue to smoke

Use the handy NHS Quit & Save Calculator to work out how much you could save if you give up smoking visit NHS 'No Smoking Day' web page by clicking http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk/smokers/moneycalculator.php

What is in a cigarette?

You’ve heard of nicotine but, when it comes to health, that’s the least of your worries. Each cigarette contains around 4,000 chemicals, many of which are known to be toxic.

Here are a few of the nasties you’ll be inhaling in every drag:

• Acetone - widely used as a solvent, for example in nail polish remover
• Ammonia - found in cleaning fluids
• Arsenic - a deadly poison, used in insecticides
• Benzene - used as a solvent in fuel and chemical production
• Cadmium - a highly poisonous metal used in batteries
• Carbon monoxide (CO) - an odourless, tasteless and poisonous gas; makes breathing more difficult as it combines with the blood that carries oxygen around the body. Up to 15 per cent of a smoker's blood may be carrying CO instead of oxygen, making the heart work harder, and potentially leading to coronary heart disease and circulation problems.
• Cyanide - a deadly poison
• Formaldehyde - used to preserve dead bodies
• Shellac - becomes a wood varnish when mixed with a form of alcohol
• Tar - a mixture of chemicals (including formaldehyde, arsenic and cyanide). About 70 per cent of the tar is left in smokers' lungs, causing a range of serious lung conditions.
  

Benefits of going Smokefree

Going smokefree isn't easy, but when you see the drastic improvements to your life and health, you'll want to set your action plan going as quickly as you can.

How will my health benefit?

• You will reduce your risk of developing illness, disability or death caused by cancer, heart or lung disease.
• You will reduce your risk of gangrene or amputation caused by circulatory problems.
• You will protect the health of those around you by not exposing them to secondhand smoke.
• You will reduce the chances of your children suffering from asthma or glue ear.
• You will improve your fertility levels and your chance of a healthy pregnancy and baby.
• You will improve your breathing and general fitness.
• You will enjoy the taste of food more.

How will my lifestyle improve?

• You will save money - as much as several hundred pounds a month, if you're a heavy smoker.
• You will no longer smell of stale tobacco.
• The appearance of your skin and teeth will improve.
• You will feel more confident in social situations - you won't be worrying about the secondhand smoke you create anymore.
• As a non-smoker, you may even find you get approached more often by potential new friends and partners when out socialising.
• Your home will smell fresh and you will no longer be staining your walls with nicotine.
• You will reduce the risk of fire in your home.

Find out how going smoke free will make you feel more healthier & confident by clicking here

Your questions answered by GP's

For more information please visit http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Smoking/Pages/smokingnewhome.aspx

(this information has been taken from the nhs/livewell/smoking.co.uk website)