Smoking Cessation
What We Do
Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of ill health in the UK and there is clear evidence that by reducing the prevalence of tobacco use health and healthy life expectancy will improve within the population.
There is also a significant opportunity to decrease health inequalities as it is estimated that smoking accounts for approximately two-thirds of the difference in mortality between social class groups in middle age.
Our Tobacco Use, Prevention, Harm Reduction
& Cessation Service Delivers:
Awareness Raising
& Education
Training lvl 1 –
Brief Interventions
Training lvl 2 – Stop Smoking Practitioner Training
Intensive Group-Based Behavioural Support
Intensive 1-2-1 Behavioural Support
What Are The Benefits Of Quitting Smoking?
The earlier you quit smoking, the more you’re likely to benefit.
But it’s never too late – because quitting will improve your health whatever your age and no matter how long you have smoked.
After 20 minutes
Pulse rate and blood pressure will be lowering to normal levels
After 8 hours
Oxygen levels return to normal, and carbon monoxide levels in the blood reduce by half
After 48 hours
Carbon monoxide is almost eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out smoking debris. The ability to taste and smell improves
After 72 hours
Breathing feels easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax, and energy levels increase. Nicotine from smoking will now be removed from your body
After 2-12 weeks
Circulation improves allowing your heart and muscles to work more efficiently
After 3-9 months
Lung function increases by up to 10%, improving coughs, wheezing or breathing problems
After 1 year
Risk of a heart attack reduces by half
After 10 years
Risk of death from lung cancer falls by 50%. Risk of diabetes caused by smoking will be reduced to that of someone who never smoked
After 15 years
Risk of a heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked
Fitness
If you smoke, you get less oxygen to your heart, lungs and muscles. This reduces your physical fitness and ability to exercise.
Fertility
Men and women who smoke are more likely to have fertility problems and take longer to conceive than non-smokers.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tobacco smoke contains poisonous chemicals that pass through the placenta into the baby’s blood. They slow the baby’s growth, affect development, and increase the chances of a miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth. It’s never too late in pregnancy to stop, you and your baby will benefit as soon as you quit. Chemicals are also passed to the baby via breast milk.
Family
Children are influenced to start smoking by exposure to it. A child in a family where parents or grandparents smoke is up to 3 times more likely to become a smoker. Second-hand smoke affects everyone, but babies and children are put at risk of sudden and unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), respiratory/chest illnesses and infections, reduced lung function, middle ear disease, asthma attacks, and eye irritation. All of these are reduced by being in a smoke-free family.
Money
Quitting smoking or using any form of tobacco can really benefit your bank account. On average, most people who quit smoking save around £250 per month. When a pack of cigarettes costs approximately £10, you can see how quickly this adds up.