On this page, you can find some information around the reasons to quit smoking, how to prepare and what happens when you quit.
If you’re thinking about stopping smoking, you can access free, friendly and convenient support, find out more about the support available.
Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health. No matter how long you’ve smoked for, quitting helps to improve your health straight away.
A 20-a-day smoker can save over £3,000 a year by stopping
If you smoke, your children are three times more likely to smoke when they grow up.
Nearly three quarters of children worry that their mum or dad will die because they smoke.
By not smoking, you protect the health of those close to you. Children exposed to a smoky atmosphere are more likely to suffer from breathing problems, allergies and chest infections.
Here are some tips to help you prepare:
The sooner you quit, the sooner you’ll notice changes to your body and health. Look at what happens when you quit for good.
Check your pulse rate, it will already be starting to return to normal.
Your oxygen levels are recovering, and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half.
All carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
If you notice that breathing feels easier, its because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also your energy will be increasing.
Blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved.
Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases by up to 10%.
Great news! Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker’s.
More great news! Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker’s.
