Say NO to smoking today

Nikola Bartosova | 14th March 2018

ONE in six adults in England smoke according to the latest data from Public Health England.

Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of cancer. Smoking is responsible for more than 1 in 4 UK cancer deaths, and almost a fifth of all cancer cases.

But in recent years, smoking started to decline.

Widespread use of e-cigarettes, nicotine patches and gum helped 500,000 smokers in 2015. There are now 7.2 million adults in England who smoke but they are outnumbered by 14.6 million ex-smokers.

Today marks the National No Smoking Day which intends to help smokers who want to quit smoking and make their life better. There are plenty of events across the country to help them quit forever.

 

Julie Woods, Foodbank manager

 

Julie Woods, Foodbank manager of Shoreline Church, started to smoked when she was 16 years old.

Julie smoked because everybody else around did, including her friends. She tried to give it up many times, often she would quit for a year or two and then eventually came back to smoking.

Julie wanted to stop because of her children. They learnt at school about the harm that smoking can cause. They were scared that their mum will die.

Julie managed to completely quit smoking for life at the age of 40 and never touched a cigarette since then. She is now 58 years old and feels that she achieved something. She can taste food better and the quality of life also improved.

When Julie went for a medical check up, a nurse told her that: “It is the best thing that you’ve done in your life to stop smoking.”

Julie says: “It is about will power, trust, faith and belief that you can stop smoking.”

NHS Choices: Tips on how to stop smoking

THINK POSITIVE

You might have tried to give up smoking before but not successfully. Do not give up and try all over again.

MAKING A PLAN TO QUIT SMOKING

Making a promise, setting a date and sticking to it is important. Think ahead where you might be tempted to smoke, for example at a party.

DIET

The next step is to consider your diet. Some foods, for example meat, make cigarettes taste nice. On the other hand, cheese, fruit and vegetable make cigarettes taste absolutely terrible. Also settle in the room where you normally do not smoke.

CHANGE YOUR DRINK

Fizzy drinks, cola, alcohol, coffee and tea make cigarettes taste much better. Drink more water and juice on a night out.

IDENTIFY WHEN YOU CRAVE CIGARETTES THE MOST

Try to make a list of strategies before you give up. For instance, you can leave the party for a minute. The combination of drinking and smoking raises the risk of mouth cancer by 38 times.

GET SUPPORT

If your family members or friends want to quit too, you can do that together. Your local stop smoking service can also help you. You can call the NHS Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044.

EXERCISE

Even a five-minute walk or stretch cuts cravings and might help your brain produce anti-craving chemicals.

HAVE NON-SMOKING FRIENDS

Go with non-smokers when you are at a party.

KEEP YOUR MOUTH AND HANDS BUSY

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can double the chance of succeeding. Also patches, tablets, lozenges, nasal spray and gum. And of course, famous e-cigarettes can be a big help. Put your drink in the hand that usually holds a cigarette when you are out.

MAKE A LIST OF REASONS TO QUIT

Remind yourself why you have decided to stop smoking. Read it when you need support.

 

 

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