Tobacco

Smoking is responsible for about 5,000 deaths in Greater Manchester each year.

Smoking causes almost 90% of deaths from lung cancer, around 80% of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema, and around 17% of deaths from heart disease.

About one third of all cancer deaths can be attributed to smoking. These include cancer of the lung, mouth, lip, throat, bladder, kidney, stomach, liver and cervix.

Exposure to other people's tobacco smoke is also a cause of ill-health. Secondhand smoke has been shown to cause harm to adult non-smokers by increasing their risk of lung cancer and heart disease and reducing their lung function.

Secondhand smoke exposure harms babies and children, with an increased risk of respiratory infections and an increased severity of asthma symptoms.

Smoking

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.

Tips for controlling cravings

Few smokers quit without getting cravings. If you want to succeed you must learn to get through them. The following tips should help:

  • Cravings only last three to five minutes and they will subside. Once the urge to smoke has gone your willpower will strengthen again.
  • Try and stay focused on the reasons you decided to quit. Make a list of them.
  • Take three or four deep breaths. Breathe in slowly through the nose and fill your lungs, then breathe out slowly through the mouth.
  • Drink water. Sip it slowly and try to savour the taste. This will also help to satisfy any increased appetite.
  • Keep busy. Take your mind off smoking by going for a walk, doing an odd job around the home or calling a friend or relative on the phone.

Why quit?

  1. Reduce your risk of illness, disability or death caused by cancer, heart disease and lung disease
  2. Reduce your risk of gangrene or amputation caused by circulation problems
  3. Protect the health of the people you care about by not making them breathe your secondhand smoke
  4. Reduce the chances of your children suffering from asthma
  5. Improve your fertility and your chance of a healthy pregnancy and baby
  6. Improve your breathing and general fitness
  7. Enjoy the taste of food more
  8. Get rid of that stale tobacco smell from your hair, skin, clothes and breath
  9. Look attractive with healthy, glowing skin and fewer wrinkles
  10. No more tobacco stains on your teeth
  11. Have a cleaner, fresher home, free of nicotine stains and reduce your risk of starting a house fire or burning your clothes
  12. Save money and treat yourself to that dream holiday you've always wanted, the pair of designer shoes that you've been eyeing up for months or a gym membership to work on the new healthier you

How you can quit

The one thing to remember about quitting smoking is that you're not alone. There is lots of help and support out there to help you finally say goodbye to cigarettes forever.

Using your local Stop Smoking Service means you are four times more likely to stop.

Their services can include:

  • Access to free or subsidised nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
  • Individual or group support that helps you plan and stay on track to quit smoking
  • Help to cope with cravings, relapse and understanding your 'danger zones'
  • Specialist support for pregnant women, young people, and carers

The NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 is open 7 Days a week, 7am to 11pm, offering information on quitting and where you can get help locally.

NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 9 169. Lines are open every day from 12-9pm.

NHS Asian Tobacco Helpline. Lines are open every Tuesday from 1pm to 9pm.
Urdu - 0800 169 0 881
Punjabi - 0800 169 0 882
Hindi - 0800 169 0 883
Gujarati - 0800 169 0 884
Bengali - 0800 169 0 885

Useful websites