No Smoking Day - 9th March 2011

Tomorrow is National No Smoking Day, so if you’re thinking of quitting then now the time to do it.

The charity, which has been running since 1983, organised the day to help raise awareness and highlight the many sources of help that are available for quitters.

Did you know that ...

* 18% of people in the South-West smoke – the lowest in England (well done!); 29% are ex-smokers – the highest in England - and 53% have never smoked

* 17% of women in the South-West smoke, 27% are ex-smokers, and 57% have never smoked

* 19% of men in the South-West smoke, 33% are ex-smokers and 48% have never smoked

* Today one in five people in the UK smokes – 63% want to quit.

(Figures from General Household Survey 2009)

 

Here are some extra incentives to help you kick the habit:

Health – benefits to quitting smoking:

* 20 minutes after quitting your blood pressure and pulse return to normal

* 48 hours - no nicotine is left in your body. Your senses of taste and smell are greatly improved.

* 72 hours - your breathing becomes easier and your energy levels increase

* 2-12 weeks after quitting smoking your circulation improves and exercise can be easier

* 3-9 months - any coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve

* Within five years the risk of heart attack is halved

* Within 10 years the risk of lung cancer is halved and the risk of heart attack is at the same level as non-smokers

Wealth - The financial benefits of stopping soon add up too:

After:

* 1 day: £6.30 = a movie rental or a few magazines

* 1 week: £44.10 = facial, a cheap flight or DVDs, paintballing, a day at the races

* 1 month: £189 = a shopping spree or premiership football tickets

* 3 months: £567 = holiday or a new laptop, flat screen TV

* 6 months: £1,134 = football season ticket, a family holiday or a home cinema, top of the range

bicycle

* 1year: £2,299 = a new kitchen, a second hand car or a luxury leather suite

(figures based on a 20-a-day smoker paying £6.30 per packet of 20)

 

Help available:

NHS Devon run stop smoking sessions at the Tavistock Clinic every Friday between 1.30pm and 4.30pm. To find out more about the service email stopsmoking.devonpct@nhs.net or call 01884 836024.

The No Smoking Day charity will also continue to run its website for quitters. Click here to visit the site.

You can also call 0800 169 0 169 for access to specialist counsellors and further information.

If you need giving up aids then visit Boots (currently offering several products for half price), Superdrug, or Morrisons.

Have you or someone you know successfully given up smoking? Share you tips with us in the comment section below.