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Why quit

Quitting smoking has many benefits for your physical health, mental wellbeing, and your finances. It’s never too late to stop smoking there are always benefits to stopping. It doesn’t matter how many attempts you have before, we are here to support you. Stopping smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your future.

Health benefits

The health benefits start the very day you quit.

After 8 hours: Carbon monoxide levels in your blood are reduced by half, allowing more oxygen to circulate throughout your body.

After 2 days: Carbon monoxide is completely cleared by your system.

Over time you may notice your breathing feels easier, hands and feet feel warmer, food tastes better, coughing and wheezing lessens and you have more energy!

Long-term health gains

After 1 year: Your risk of a heart attack is half that of someone who smokes.

After 10 years: Your risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of someone who smokes.

Mental health

In the long term, stopping smoking can reduce stress, and lower symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Breaking the cycle of nicotine addiction

When you quit, you may feel more anxious or irritable at first because your body is adjusting to life without nicotine. This is normal and will pass. With time and support you can break free from the cycle of nicotine addiction.

Stop smoking products can help reduce withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to quit and stay quit. Using these products alongside support from a trained adviser you are three times more likely to quit.

Pregnancy

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your own health and your baby’s.

Quitting at any time during pregnancy is beneficial, but the sooner you stop, the better it is for both you and your child. There is no safe level of smoking, so it is important to stop completely.

Our trained advisers are here to support you in a non-judgemental way, offering advice on safe products to use during pregnancy and helping your family members or friends quit alongside you.

Ask your midwife to refer you or self-refer online

If you're ready to quit contact the service for further support.

Family and home

Secondhand smoke contains toxic chemicals, including some that cause cancer. Protect your loved ones from second hand smoke by keeping a smoke-free home and car.

Reducing health risks

A smoke-free home can help to reduce risks of asthma, heart disease, and cancer and protects children from asthma, infections, allergies, ear problems, and meningitis. It reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In pregnancy it lowers the risk of premature birth, low birth weight and cot death.

If you are unable to stop smoking it is important to smoke outside and close doors and windows behind you as harmful chemicals stay in the air for 2–3 hours and settle on furniture and surfaces.

Financial benefits

Quitting smoking is good for your health—and your wallet.

People who smoke spend around £2,500 every year on tobacco.

When you stop smoking, keeping track of how much money you save can help you stay motivated.

Tip: Use a savings calculator, Smokefree app or a notebook to see your progress. Watching the numbers grow can remind you why quitting is worth it.

What could you do with the extra money?

Contact the service

From in-person appointments to telephone support, our friendly advisors will provide you with a free personalised plan to help you stop smoking for good.

To find your local service, let us know where you live.

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