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The benefits of quitting smoking

You can’t change the past and go back to a time before you started smoking, but you are in control of your future. Rather than focus on the bad things that smoking does to your body, you may find it helpful to flip this around and think about all the benefits you will get when you stop. And remember, quitting smoking is not only great for your own health, but also for the health of those around you.

Stopping smoking when you have a condition like COPD can:1-3

Improve your symptoms and reduce the risk of having flare-ups

Slow the progression of the disease

Allow you to live longer

Save you money

It’s never too late to stop smoking, no matter how long you’ve smoked for. Even if you’re over 60 when you stop, your lungs will benefit.1

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All types of smoking are bad for your lungs

When trying to do something difficult it can be tempting to find a way to make things easier. But no matter what people might say, there’s no safe way to smoke tobacco.

The following alternatives are still bad for you and should be avoided:1

  • Low tar, light, or menthol cigarettes aren’t ‘safer’ than other cigarettes; they all contain similar quantities of tar and chemicals
  • Roll-ups are just as bad for you as manufactured cigarettes
  • Cigarette filters don’t make smoking safer and are a source of plastic pollution
  • Cigars and pipes are also bad for your health
  • Inhaling any smoke is not good for your lung health – and that includes cannabis
  • Shisha smoking often contains tobacco; the smoke might pass through water but it still contains dangerous chemicals and is just as harmful as cigarette smoke

Luckily the challenges of quitting smoking are well known and you will not have to overcome them alone. It might sound easier said than done, but with the right support, you can stop for good.

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Tips to help you quit:5

  • Pick a date you’re going to stop and put it on your calendar
  • Make a list of reasons why you want to stop
  • Tell your friends and family you’re stopping
  • If you’ve tried before, remember what worked (and what didn’t)
  • Try some stop smoking aids (for example, nicotine patches or gum)
  • Know when you might be tempted and plan how to manage those triggers
  • Keep busy, to keep cravings at bay
  • When you get the urge, turn to exercise instead
  • Join a local or online group for support and advice from people also trying to stop
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Support to help you quit

As well as getting your friends and family to support you in quitting, there are also specialised services which can give expert advice.4

The NHS provides a free Stop Smoking Service that has been developed by experts and ex-smokers and is delivered by trained professionals either in groups or one-to-one. The advisers are there to encourage you but can also provide information on different stop smoking treatments.6

There are also many apps available to provide support directly from your phone. You can search online to find one that suits you, or the NHS has a free version of its own.5

Treatments to help you quit

The nicotine in cigarettes is what makes them addictive and causes the cravings and withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking. Treatments to help manage these symptoms and increase your chances of success include:7

  • Nicotine replacement therapies, available in: patches, gum, inhalators, tablets, lozenges, or nasal and mouth sprays
  • Prescription medications, which can help manage withdrawal symptoms

The NHS provides lots of free information, including where to find your local Stop Smoking Service, a free app and information on treatment options. Take a look at their website here.

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Discussing smoking with your healthcare professional

Although taking that step to talk about stopping smoking (or reducing how much you smoke) with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist might seem daunting, you’ll find that they just want to help you.

Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with a prescription for medication to help you to quit smoking, as well as a referral to your nearest Stop Smoking Service. They’ll also be able to discuss with you some additional options and methods that you can try to help you quit.

If you’re ready to stop smoking, make a note in your discussion list to talk to your doctor and start exploring the options available.

Remember – if you can avoid a cigarette for just 28 days you’re more likely to be able to quit for good.6

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References

  1. Asthma + Lung UK. Why is smoking bad for me? Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/stop-smoking/why-is-it-bad
  2. COPD.net. Quitting smoking. Available at: https://copd.net/pulmonary-rehab/lifestyle/quitting-smoking
  3. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of COPD. Available at: https://goldcopd.org/2023-gold-report-2/
  4. Asthma + Lung UK. How can I quit smoking? Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/stop-smoking/quit
  5. NHS. Quit smoking. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
  6. NHS. Find your local Stop Smoking Service. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/find-your-local-stop-smoking-service/
  7. NHS. Stop smoking aids. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/stop-smoking-aids/