Research shows that stopping smoking is the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives.
While there is no doubt that stopping smoking is very challenging, the good news is that many people do give up successfully.
Although many smokers opt to quit ‘cold turkey’, statistics show that they could be more successful if they planned ahead. Smokers can quadruple their chances of success if they combine nicotine replacement therapy with stop smoking support services. Getting help and support when you are stopping smoking is the most important thing you can do.
The health benefits from giving up begin within 20 minutes of stopping, and will greatly increase over the years. After your last cigarette:
20 minutes – Blood pressure returns to normal
24 hours – Carbon monoxide is eliminated from our body and your lungs start to clear out mucus
48 hours – No nicotine is left in your body. Taste and smell
improve
72 hours – Breathing becomes easier and your energy levels
increase
2-12 weeks – Circulation improves making walking and
running easier
3-9 months – Coughs and breathing problems improve as lung
function increases by 10%
5 years – Risk of heart attack falls to half that of a smoker
10 years – Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker
The health benefits of quitting are priceless but there are also financial benefits too.
|
Cigarettes |
1 day |
1 week |
1 month |
1 year |
|
5 |
£1.20 |
£8.40 |
£36 |
£438 |
|
10 |
£2.40 |
£16.80 |
£72 |
£876 |
|
20 |
£4.80 |
£33.60 |
£144 |
£1752 |
|
30 |
£7.20 |
£50.40 |
£216 |
£2628 |
|
40 |
£9.60 |
£67.20 |
£288 |
£3504 |
Based on a packet of 20 cigarettes costing £4.80
Health Benefits: