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.
- If you stop smoking you:
- Reduce the risk
of getting serious smoking-related diseases such as heart disease,
cancers, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and peripheral
vascular disease.
- Reduce the risk of getting various other conditions which, although
not life threatening, can cause unpleasant problems. For example:
impotence (erection problems), fertility problems, optic neuropathy,
cataract, macular degeneration, psoriasis, gum disease, tooth loss,
osteoporosis and Raynaud's phenomenon.
- Reduce the risk of pregnancy complications if you are pregnant.
- If you have smoked since being a teenager or young adult:
- If you stop smoking before the age of about 35, your life expectancy is only slightly less than people who have never smoked.
- If you stop smoking before the age of 50, you decrease the risk of dying from smoking-related diseases by 50%.
- But it is never too late to stop smoking to gain health
benefits. Even if you already have COPD or heart disease, your outlook
(prognosis) is much improved if you stop smoking.
Timeline of health benefits after stopping smoking...
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After...
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Health Benefit...
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20 minutes
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Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal
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8 hours
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Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal
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24 hours
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Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris
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48 hours
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There is no nicotine left in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved
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72 hours
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Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase
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2–12 weeks
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Circulation improves
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3–9 months
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Cough, wheezing, and breathing problems improve and lung function increases by up to 10%
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One year
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Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker
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10 years
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Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker
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15 years
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Risk of heart attack falls to the same level as someone who has never smoked
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Other benefits of stopping smoking include:
- Your breath wont smell any more of stale tobacco.
- The smell of stale tobacco will also go from your clothes, hair, and home.
- Foods and drinks taste and smell much better.
- Finances improve. You will save well over £1000 per year if you smoked 20 a day.
- Better rates of insurance policies.
- You are likely to feel good about yourself.
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.
- GPs, practice nurses, or
pharmacists can provide information, encouragement, and tips on
stopping smoking. Also, throughout the country there are specialist NHS
'Stop Smoking Clinics' which have a good success in helping people to
stop smoking. Your doctor may refer you to one if you are keen to stop
smoking.
- Various medicines can increase your chance of quitting. These
include Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) which comes as gums, sprays,
patches, tablets, lozenges, and inhalers. You can buy NRT without a
prescription. Also, medicines called bupropion (trade name 'Zyban') and
varenicline (trade name 'Champix) can help. These are available on
prescription. See separate leaflets called 'Smoking - Nicotine Replacement Therapy', 'Smoking - Helping to Stop with Bupropion' and 'Smoking - Helping to Stop with Varenicline'.
Further help and information
Quit - a charity that helps people to stop smoking.
Quitline: 0800 00 22 00 Web: www.quit.org.uk
NHS 'Go Smokefree' ServicesNHS smoking helpline 0800 169 0 169 Web: www.gosmokefree.nhs.uk
For help and advice on stopping smoking, and for details of your local NHS Stop Smoking Service.
References
© EMIS and PiP 2008 Updated: 22 May 2008
