Quit Smoking

Overview

Did you know that you are up to four times more likely to be able to quit smoking if you get some support, rather than going cold turkey or attempting to do it alone?

And the good news is - there is plenty of support out there from the NHS or other local Stop Smoking Services.

Research also suggests that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches or gum, is a useful aid that will double your chances of successfully quitting compared with willpower alone.

It is often said that every journey begins with a single step. That first step to quitting smoking could be asking your GP to help you get the support that's available free through the NHS. If you don't want to see a GP, any pharmacist or chemist should be able to offer advice.

You may also want to find out about one-to-one and group support sessions with trained stop smoking advisors. These sessions have helped lots of people become ex-smokers.

To find your local Stop Smoking Service and to find out more information about how to stop smoking, visit http://smokefree.nhs.uk

The NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 is open seven days a week, 7am to 11pm, offering information on quitting and where you can get help locally.

The NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 9 169 is open every day from 12-9pm.

The NHS Asian Tobacco Helpline is open every Tuesday from 1pm to 9pm.
Urdu - 0800 169 0 881
Punjabi - 0800 169 0 882
Hindi - 0800 169 0 883
Gujarati - 0800 169 0 884
Bengali - 0800 169 0 885


Alternatively, visit the Quitex website www.informedhealthchoice.com/quitex

Reasons to Quit


  • Children are particularly susceptible to exposure to second hand smoke 1.

  • In 2005/06, smoking cost the NHS in the UK £5.2 billion, which is 5.5% of the total NHS budget 2

  • Almost 12,000 people in the North West die every year from smoking related diseases 3

  • 50% of teenagers who continue smoking will eventually be killed by their habit. 4

  • A person with a 20 a day habit will spend around £2,000 a year on cigarettes - that's the price of a decent holiday.

  • Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 69 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 toxic substances.5




References
1.Sandler, DP et al. Cancer risk in adulthood from early exposure to parents' smoking. Am J Pub Health 1985; 75: 487-492 - Source: ASH Essential Information on: Young People   Smoking (http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_108.pdf)

2.Allender et al. The burden of smoking related ill-health in the UK, Tobacco Control, 2009

3.Local Authority Health Profiles, The Association of Public Health Observatories, 2009 (http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=50215&REGION=50151)

4.ASH Essential Information on Smoking Statistics: Illness and death (http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_107.pdf)

5.Cancer Research UK (http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/smokingandtobacco/whatsinacigarette/?a=5441)

Top Tips


  • Order a free DVD from 0800 169 0 169 to find out about the full range of NHS support available to help you quit.

  • Get support from trained NHS advisers who can help you to understand your addiction and how to beat it.

  • Identify your smoking triggers and plan ahead. Try the Addiction Test at http://smokefree.nhs.uk.

  • Use nicotine replacement products or other stop smoking medicines to cope with the withdrawal symptoms - available on prescription from the NHS.

  • Sign up for free text and email alerts from the Together Programme with motivational tips and advice to keep you on track.

  • Avoid situations where you might be tempted to smoke again. Plan ahead to cope with the hard times.

  • Note how much cash you're saving. Work out how long it will take you to save for your dream purchase by using the calculator on http://smokefree.nhs.uk.

  • Use a carbon monoxide monitor to see for yourself how quickly your body recovers once you stop smoking. Local NHS Stop Smoking Services offer carbon monoxide monitoring as part of their stop smoking programmes.

  • Chuck out ashtrays, matches and lighters and anything else you needed to smoke. Put potpourri where your ashtrays used to be - your home will smell fresher in no time at all.

  • But most importantly, take it one day at a time and reward yourself every day.

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