Join the millions who quit smoking every year
Choosing to quit smoking is a huge decision to make, and people often embark on the journey more than once before finally having success. At Rowlands, we offer a wide range of stop smoking products to help you on your journey to a healthier tomorrow.
Think you might need more help? Stop smoking advisors are experts in providing accurate information and proven methods to help you quit smoking for good. You can meet them in person, and sometimes online via phone or video call.
What is a stop smoking service?
Stop smoking services are free, friendly and can massively boost your chances of quitting for good, providing you with the following:
- Access to a trainer adviser for ongoing advice and support
- Information on stop smoking medicines and supply if suitable for you*
Your trusted local pharmacy can signpost you to your local stop smoking service, and can also offer the help and guidance you may need to take the first steps to a smoke-free lifestyle.
There are many health benefits to quitting smoking, some of which are instant. Better Health NHS states:
After 20 minutes... Check your pulse rate; it will already be starting to return to normal.
After 8 hours... Your oxygen levels are recovering, and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half.
After 48 hours... All carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
After 72 hours... If you notice that breathing feels easier, it's because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also, your energy will be increasing.
After 2 to 12 weeks... Blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved.
After 3 to 9 months... Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases by up to 10%.
After 1 year... Great news! Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker's.
After 10 years... More great news! Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker's.
Why is smoking bad for you?
In the UK alone, around 78,000 people die from smoking every year...
...And this figure doesn’t include the many more living with debilitating smoking-related diseases, such as lung cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Half of all long-term smokers die prematurely from diseases caused by smoking...
...This includes heart disease, strokes and chronic bronchitis. It can also exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma and common colds.
Smoking is the largest cause of cancer in the UK...
...And has been linked to at least 15 types of cancer, including lung, throat, bowel, kidney and many more.
Regularly breathing in second-hand smoke increases your risk of developing the same health conditions as smokers...
...Passive smoking is especially harmful to children, as it can increase the chances of them developing illnesses like pneumonia, meningitis and asthma. Smoking can also reduce fertility and even cause impotence in men.
There a various methods to help you give up smoking, the most common being Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). For many smokers, the withdrawal symptoms are the most difficult part of the quitting process to deal with. NRT acts by providing a 'clean' alternative source of nicotine that you would have otherwise received from tobacco.
Nicotine delivered from NRT is absorbed more slowly and generally in a lesser amount, but it is sufficient to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. It’s recommended that all products should be used for 8-12 weeks.
Top 5 myths about stop smoking aids shattered!
1. Stop smoking aids don’t really work
TRUTH: Research suggests that NRT’s can double (or even triple) your chances of successfully quitting smoking, why do it cold turkey when these products could really help!?
2. It’s dangerous to use more than one NRT at a time
TRUTH: No, using more than one product at a time can be a good thing as it often increases the success. Combination therapy is a popular strategy.
3. I can’t use stop smoking treatments if I’m pregnant
TRUTH: It’s the perfect time to quit as smoking is dangerous to you and your baby. Talk to your midwife about NRT products like gum, patches or lozenges as these may be recommended if you are finding it hard to quit.
4. I’ve had a heart attack so I can’t use NRT
TRUTH: NRT has been shown to be safe in most people with heart disease; however it is always advisable to talk to your doctor before starting any course of medication.
5. NRT products are as addictive as smoking
TRUTH: Most people using NRT do not become reliant on them, the nicotine from patches or gum etc. is released into your system slower than the nicotine from cigarettes. It is often the case that people don’t use enough NRT for long enough.
The benefits of quitting smoking
Heart rate is often elevated in smokers, so quitting means it can return to normal. Stopping smoking also reduces blood pressure and improves oxygen levels, resulting in a much lower risk of heart attacks.
Also read: Foods to avoid with high blood pressure
Within nine months of stopping smoking, your lung capacity will improve by up to 10%, which means you’ll be able to breathe more easily and be less likely to cough or wheeze during physical activity. You’ll even find it easier to simply climb stairs or go for short walks.
As your blood circulation starts to improve – usually within two to 12 weeks of quitting – you’ll start to find your energy levels increase. At the same time, your immune system will receive a boost, and the increase in oxygen in the body will reduce fatigue and mean you are less likely to suffer from headaches.
Despite society having previously believed smoking helps you to de-stress, studies show that people’s stress levels lower once they have stopped smoking. However, nicotine withdrawal during the first few weeks after quitting can also cause stress, so be patient, and you’ll soon get through this challenging stage. It’ll be worth it.
Related article: Stress Awareness Month
Nerve endings that have been damaged by smoking can repair and regrow, improving your sense of taste and smell.
Quitting smoking will reduce your risk of developing potentially fatal diseases like cancer, strokes, heart disease and chronic bronchitis. Regardless of how much or how long you have been smoking, it will add years to your life and increase the likelihood that you’ll live a healthy, disease-free life.
Smoking is a time-consuming activity. Not only is it a distraction from work or removes you from social situations with your loved ones, but studies have suggested that smoking literally takes years off your life. It’s believed that a regular smoker reduces their life expectancy by 11 minutes with each cigarette they smoke. Not only this, but smoking is not cheap. With the average smoker smoking around 20 a day, they spend, on average, £4,841.20 a year on cigarettes.
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