Stoptober: Everything you need to know about quitting smoking

Yes, I am a smoker and have been for about 12 years. I never really tried to quit.

With Stoptober just around the corner, I think I’ll finally try quitting, even if just for a month.

Stoptober – now in its 12th year – aims to empower people to quit smoking in October, as it has been proven that if they manage to be smoke-free for at least 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit smoking for good .

Quitting smoking is best done with two people! Having a quitting partner gives you a support system to keep you accountable on your quitting journey. For free help getting started, please visit https://t.co/N6zYMofVuw. pic.twitter.com/UNtwsZ5IFY

— CDC Tobacco Free (@CDCTobaccoFree) September 6, 2023

It encourages smokers Kick the habit over the course of the month by raising awareness of the effects smoking can have on the body and also providing support.

What does smoking do to a body?

You look better because more oxygen reaches your skin, it becomes more radiant and your teeth are no longer stained with tar.

Reduced risk of smoking-related diseases

Your longer-term risk of cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke is significantly reduced and:

• After a year, the risk of a heart attack is halved compared to a smoker
• After 10 years, the risk of dying from lung cancer drops to half that of a smoker
• After 15 years, the risk of a heart attack drops to the same risk as someone who has never smoked

Better physical health

Every time you smoke a cigarette, Your body is flooded with thousands of chemicals, many of which are toxic.

The day you stop, your body begins to rid itself of all those nasty toxins and the repair process begins.

Quitting smoking is hard, but with each attempt you learn more about what works for you and get closer to quitting for good. Find help this National Recovery Month at above @FDATobacco. pic.twitter.com/8WAjeMNTL7

– US FDA (@US_FDA) September 5, 2023

You will notice some benefits within a few days or weeks:

• Your sense of taste and smell improves
• You start to breathe easier
• You have more energy

More benefits will follow including:

• better blood flow to your heart and muscles, making physical activity easier
• improved lung function, leading to a reduction in coughing, wheezing or other breathing problems

How can I stop smoking?

Many people are trying to quit smoking solely with willpower, but with the right help, becoming smoke-free is much easier. There are numerous support options available. Try a combination that works best for you.

Vaping

I’ll be honest, I’m wary of it, I’ve heard the stories. However, this is advice from the NHS website:

“There is some confusion and misleading information about vaping, which can make it difficult to figure out what is true and what is not.”

“Nicotine vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking. It is also one of the most effective ways to quit smoking.”

“Vaping is not recommended for non-smokers and young people as it is not completely safe.

“It can be difficult to quit the routines and rituals of smoking, so vaping can help you let go of these gradually while immediately reducing the health risks of cigarette smoking.”

🚭 🚫💨 Take care of your skin by quitting smoking as this improves blood circulation and helps maintain a youthful complexion.

Choose healthier habits for beautiful skin and let your natural beauty shine. pic.twitter.com/uR9sU2pYJR

– Marco (@MFamilyocity) September 6, 2023

Smoking cessation aids

Smoking cessation treatments really help control nicotine cravings and other tobacco withdrawal symptoms. They also increase your chances of successfully quitting smoking, especially if you get expert support from your local smoking cessation service.

If you’ve tried smoking cessation remedies before, it’s worth giving it another try as you may need to try a few to find out what’s right for you.

Find your local smoking cessation service

There is a free on-site smoking cessation service near you. With their professional help, you are three times more likely to quit for good.

Always contact the relevant service Before your visit, check whether you are eligible for assistance.

Most smokers say they do I want to stop and recent statistics show that more than a third of smokers (36.6%) have tried to quit smoking in the last 12 months.

Professor Robert West, Emeritus Professor of Behavioral Science at UCL, said: “What’s really interesting is the influence that self-efficacy, that feeling of confidence and self-belief, has on success in quitting.”

“That confidence is something we can really influence. It really shows the power of the mind – self-confidence combined with other quitting aids like e-cigarettes or NRT effectively enable people to quit.”

“People thinking about quitting this Stoptober should also keep in mind that even if you’ve tried to quit before and failed, that doesn’t mean it won’t work this time. You will have learned something from your previous attempts.” : Consider every attempt to quit smoking as a stepping stone to becoming smoke-free for life.”