Smoking is responsible for about 5,000 deaths in Greater Manchester each year.
Nicotine is one of the most addictive - and potentially lethal - substances known to man. It is a drug and has many different effects on the body at the same time. After just one puff it affects chemicals in your brain and you usually feel good for a moment or two, which is why many smokers view smoking as stress relief when under pressure.
Over time as you continue to smoke, your body learns to depend on nicotine. As a result when you stop smoking you get nicotine cravings - one of many different withdrawal symptoms.
Why quit?
If you smoke, stopping will bring enormous benefits to your health and wellbeing. You’ll dramatically reduce your risk of developing a vascular disease such as heart disease or stroke, within a few months. You’re likely to feel more confident socially too. Here are just some of the benefits of quitting;
- Reduce your risk of illness, disability or death caused by cancer, heart disease and lung disease
- Protect the health of the people you care about by not making them breathe your secondhand smoke
- Reduce the chances of your children suffering from asthma
- Improve your fertility and your chance of a healthy pregnancy and baby
- Improve your breathing and general fitness
- Get rid of that stale tobacco smell from your hair, skin, clothes and breath.
- for more, click here.
You don’t have to quit smoking by yourself. In fact, you’re four times more likely to succeed if you have support.
And just imagine all the money you could save when you quit smoking! Use this calculator to work out what you will save - and what you could spend the extra money on!
There is help available
If you want to quit smoking, NHS Stop Smoking Services provide free and practical support to help you stub out cigarettes forever. There are local services all over Greater Manchester ( Bury, Bolton, Salford, Stockport, Wigan, Oldham, Manchester, Tameside , Trafford and Rochdale). They offer free or subsidised treatment with nicotine products and support through Specialist Advisors, Pharmacists and GP services, telephone support and group support.
Visit the Quit-it website for more information.
To speak to a trained Stop Smoking Advisor, pick up the phone or text today.
Text: QUIT with your name and postcode to 81066
Call: 0800 432 03 03