Why Should I Give Up Smoking?

Download a print friendly version of this page

Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke is guaranteed to make your lungs worse.

Although smoking related lung damage is permanent, there can be rapid improvements in sputum production and inflammation of the airway by stopping smoking.

Life is shortened by 5 minutes/cigarette (10-15 years).

1 in 2 smokers will die as a result of smoking.

Half of these in their middle years 39-65

Health benefits of quitting:

You will have a 50% less risk of coronary heart disease at 1 year.
Your risk of stroke is the same as non-smokers after 1 year.
Your risk of lung cancer is 50% less after 10 years.
You halt the progression of peripheral vascular disease(stops the blood flow to your legs)
Less complications and infections with any future surgery.

Research has shown that some people have more receptors in their brain that makes them highly addicted to nicotine. This explains why some people give up relatively easily and for others it is very difficuly as they are overcoming a powerful addiction.

What can help me?

Advice and Counselling - talk about the good and bad things you feel regarding your smoking. Most people have made several quit attempts before success - so don't be too tough on yourself if you have tried to quit before and slipped up.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy - all the research shows that using NRT doubles your success rate for quitting.
Combination NRT- if a patch alone does not control withdrawal, it is recommended, and safe to use, different forms of NRT to control your cravings- eg patch + gum/inhaler
Other pharmacotherapies � Zyban (only available through GP)

Where do I go for help?

National Quit Line Phone 137 848

Doctor � to discuss health benefits, quitting strategies and prescription or over the counter medications that could help you to quit.
Your pharmacist - to discuss how best to utilse your prescription and over the counter medications to help you quit.
Tobacco Cessation Counsellor � Community Health