Are you thinking of cutting down on cigarettes or even stopping for good? With National No Smoking Day round the corner on 12 March 2025 this could be the incentive you need!
There are so many health benefits of stopping smoking. These include:
Improved Lung Function
Your lungs start to heal almost immediately after you stop smoking. Over time, you’ll experience less coughing and shortness of breath as your lung capacity increases.
Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Quitting can significantly lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.
Lowered Cancer Risk
Smoking is linked to various cancers, including lung, throat, mouth, and bladder cancer. Stopping smoking reduces the risk of developing these cancers.
Enhanced Circulation
Smoking damages blood vessels and affects circulation. Stopping smoking helps improve blood flow, which can lead to better skin health and reduced risk of peripheral artery disease.
Improved Taste and Smell
Smoking dulls your senses of taste and smell. By stopping, the senses are restored, allowing you to enjoy food and scents more fully.
Healthier Immune System
Smoking weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections. When you stop smoking your immune response is strengthened which helps your body fight off illnesses more effectively.
Better Oral Health
Smoking can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath. Quitting improves oral health, reduces the risk of gum disease, and leads to fresher breath.
Increased Energy Levels
As your lungs heal and circulation improves, you’ll find you have more energy for physical activities and daily tasks.
Improved Skin Health
Smoking accelerates the ageing process of the skin, leading to wrinkles and a dull complexion. By stopping, you can slow this process, resulting in healthier and more vibrant skin.
Longer Life Expectancy
Overall, stopping smoking increases your chances of living a longer and having a healthier life. The sooner you quit, the greater the benefits.
Better mental health
If you’re a smoker, you may think that smoking helps you to relax and combat stress but the opposite is true. After the withdrawal stage of quitting, evidence shows that people have reduced anxiety and depression and enjoy a more positive mood.
Not only will your health improve but there are other significant upsides to giving up smoking.
Financial benefits
Smoking is an expensive habit. If you are able to cut down or stop altogether, try saving the money you would spend on cigarettes in a jar to appreciate how much you have saved. The average smoker can save around £49 a week by quitting smoking. That’s over £2,500 a year!
Better for your family and friends
Quitting smoking can make it easier to socialise with friends and family – you won’t always need to be on the look-out for somewhere to smoke! You will protect your loved ones from the dangers of second hand smoke which is especially harmful for children. You will also be a good role model for your children which means they are much less likely to take up smoking in the first place.
Smoking is a highly addictive habit, and we understand how challenging it is to stop. CADAS has expertise in helping those dealing with addiction and we support anyone who feels their addiction is problematic.
If you need help, please check out our website www.cadas.co.uk or give us a call on our freephone helpline 0800 2 54 56 58 and we can have a chat about the support we can offer.
Comments