Wednesday 9th March 2016 is British Heart Foundation’s National No Smoking day. The purpose of No Smoking Day is to encourage smokers who want to quit by providing them with resources to support them, ultimately reducing tobacco-related deaths.
Why stop smoking?
Smoking affects your whole body with short term, immediate symptoms and can cause serious long term damage. The long term health effects are well known: cancer, breathing problems, and heart and circulation problems to name just a few. The more immediate and short term problems include foul smelling hair and breath, eye irritation, gum disease/tooth loss, reduced sense of taste and sore throats.
Saving money is also a very important consideration. In 2015, the cost of a 20-a-day habit is approximately £3,000. Between 2004-2014 the cost of tobacco has increased by 87%, making it 30% less affordable. – source ASH Fact Sheet – Economics of Tobacco.
The health benefits of stopping smoking are quick to kick in. Within 20 minutes the pulse returns to normal and within 48 hours all traces of carbon monoxide and nicotine have been eliminated by the body. Within 72 hours breathing becomes easier, the bronchial tubes relax and energy levels increase. Circulation begins improving by two weeks. After 1 year the risk of a heart attack is halved. At 10 years the risk of lung cancer drops to half that of a smoker and within 15 years the heart attack risk is the same as someone who has never smoked.
It’s never too late to stop smoking.
If you are considering quitting why not visit http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk. There are contacts for accessing local stop smoking services, a local events database for no smoking day and advice of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). In addition, there is also a forum which is run by ex-smokers to gain support and inspiration.
For smoking cessation services within the Wirral area contact Healthbox CIC on 0151 355 0205.
