Many smokers continue smoking not through free choice but because they are addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes. A report by the Royal College of Physicians found that nicotine complied with the established criteria for defining an addictive substance. The report states: On present evidence, it is reasonable to conclude that nicotine delivered through tobacco smoke should be regarded as an addictive drug, and tobacco use as the means of nicotine self-administration.
Surveys have consistently shown that at least 70% of adult smokers would like to stop smoking and of those who express a desire to quit, more than a third are very keen to stop. Almost nine out of ten (88%) of smokers state that they want to quit because of a health concern. After health reasons, the next most common reason given for wanting to give up is a financial one. 2 The most important element of the cessation process is the smoker's decision to quit, with the aid or method of secondary importance. However, those who use aids such as nicotine replacement therapy double their chances of successfully quitting. Smokers wishing to quit may find it helpful to telephone the national helpline on 0800 169 0169. Pregnant women seeking help in stopping smoking should call 0800 169 9169 where specialist counsellors are available from 1pm to 9pm, 7 days a week, to give advice. QUIT also operates specialist advice lines in the main Asian languages and in Turkish and Kurdish.
Beneficial health changes when you stop smoking
Stop smoking and the body will begin to repair the damage done almost immediately, kick-starting a series of beneficial health changes that continue for years.
Time since quitting
Beneficial health changes that take place
20 minutes
Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
8 hours
Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal.
24 hours
Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body.
Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.
48 hours
There is no nicotine left in the body.
Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved.
72 hours
Breathing becomes easier.
Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
2 - 12 weeks
Circulation improves.
3 - 9 months
Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function is increased by up to 10%.
1 year
Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
10 years
Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
15 years
Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.
Withdrawal symptom
Duration
Proportion of those trying to quit who are affected
Irritability / aggression
Less than 4 weeks
50%
Depression
Less than 4 weeks
60%
Restlessness
Less than 4 weeks
60%
Poor concentration
Less than 2 weeks
60%
Increased appetite
Greater than 10 weeks
70%
Light-headedness
Less than 48 hours
10%
Night-time awakenings
Less than 1 week
25%
Craving
Greater than 2 weeks
70%
New stop smoking medications. New medications are being developed to help people stop smoking. These include verenicline, a drug that stops nicotine reaching the nicotinic receptors in the brain, thereby removing the satisfaction that smokers get from smoking. Other drugs having a similar effect include rimonabant and a nicotine vaccine. It will be some years before these products are made available in the UK.
SMOKING KILLS, SO DON'T DO IT