The Benefits of Stopping 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 cancers, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and heart disease.
  • Reduce the risk of getting various other conditions which, although not life threatening, can cause unpleasant problems. For example: impotence, reduced fertility, 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...

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 help, information, encouragement, and tips on stopping smoking. Also, many parts of the country now have 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 but are finding it difficult to do so.
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can help if withdrawal symptoms are troublesome. Nicotine gum, sprays, patches, tablets, lozenges, and inhalers are available. Using one of these roughly doubles your chance of stopping smoking if you really want to stop. A pharmacist, GP, practice nurse, or Stop Smoking Clinic can advise about NRT.
• A medicine called bupropion (trade name 'Zyban') is another option. It also roughly doubles your chance of stopping smoking if you really want to stop. It helps to reduce the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. It may be advised by a GP or Stop Smoking Clinic if you are determined to stop smoking, but are finding it difficult.

Further help and information

Quit - a charity that helps people to stop smoking.
Quitline: 0800 00 22 00    Web: www.quit.org.uk

NHS smoking helpline:
Tel: 0800 169 0 169    Web: www.givingupsmoking.co.uk

NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline
Tel: 0800 169 9 169
Lines are open daily from 12 noon - 9pm. Services include support and advice form a trained adviser who understands the different issues pregnancy brings. They also have a call-back service to give you ongoing support throughout pregnancy.

© EMIS and PIP 2005   Updated: August 2005   PRODIGY Validated