QUIT SMOKING THIS NATIONAL NO SMOKING DAY

National No Smoking Day is observed every year on the second Wednesday of March, to encourage people over the world to quit smoking. No Smoking Day 2022 is on March 9, but you can quit smoking on any day of the year. The main purpose of this day is to spread awareness about the harmful health effects of tobacco consumption through cigarette and other modes.

Many people who quit smoking are surprised by how good they feel. 

They feel more relaxed, have more money, they look and feel better, their skin looks healthier, and they have more energy when they do something active like going for a walk or playing with their children, they no longer smell of smoke and they are not as worried about their health.

When you stop smoking, your lungs will start to repair, and you’ll start to be able to breathe easier. The sooner you quit, the sooner you’ll notice the positive changes to your body and health.

Some of the benefits will be felt almost immediately and in the long term the benefits will be lifesaving:

• After a day – Your oxygen levels will recover, and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will reduce by half.
• After 2 days – Nicotine will be totally eliminated from the body and your senses of taste and smell will improve.
• After 3 days – Your breathing will become easier as the airways begin to relax. Your energy levels will also increase.
• After 2 to 4 weeks – Blood will pump through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will improve, meaning you can walk and run easier.
• After 3 to 9 months – Your lung function will improve by up to 10 %, meaning any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems you have will improve.
• After 1 to 3 years – Your risk of having a heart attack will have halved compared to a smoker’s.
• After 10 years – Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker’s.

You will save money – the average smoker can save around £2000 (depending on how much you smoke) a year by not smoking.

Stopping smoking tips

1. List your reasons to quit and when you are struggling and feel like you need to smoke, read through the reasons.
2. Tell people you’re quitting; your friends and family can then support you.
3. Use stop smoking aids, like nicotine patches and gum.
4. Have a plan if you are tempted to smoke; this should include someone you can talk to for support.
5. List your smoking triggers and how to try and avoid them.
6. Keep busy to help reduce the cravings. Click here for more help with cravings.
7. Regularly exercise, as studies show that exercise reduces the urge to smoke, it also strengthens your heart and lungs.
8. If you have tried to quit before, remember what worked and learn from what didn’t.
9. Use support groups for help and advice.

Try using the free NHS Stoptober App, click here for more details.

It’s never too late to quit.

Further help and advice:

Quit

NHS

Smokefree.gov

British Lung Foundation