Why quitting smoking is the best decision you’ll make this year

If you’ve tried before and not managed to kick the habit, don’t quit quitting. Giving up cigarettes can improve your life in so many ways; you’ll be healthier physically and mentally; you’ll have more money, and people will enjoy being around you because you won’t smell like an ashtray or be affecting their health with second hand smoke.

It doesn’t matter what age you are or how long you have been smoking, giving up will have major benefits:

The NHS Better Health website says that you’ll notice some benefits within days or weeks of quitting:

• your senses of taste and smell will improve
• you will start to breathe more easily
• you will have more energy

Someone who smokes 20-a-day can save over £3,000 a year by stopping; that’s a family holiday!

If you are a smoker with children, did you know your children are three times more likely to smoke when they grow up?

There are other ways that smoking can influence children too:

• Nearly three quarters of children worry that their mum or dad will die because they smoke
• Children exposed to a smoky atmosphere are more likely to suffer from breathing problems, allergies and chest infections

The truth is there are a few different ways and each of those will suit different people. Some people can just put out their last cigarette and never touch another one, others will find it tough to say no to cravings, especially in certain scenarios. You can read some tips on managing cravings on the Wellbeing website

• Top 10 tips for managing cigarette withdrawals and cravings

You are more likely to quit for good with the right support.

Here are some ways that you can get support to quit

• The NHS Smokefree site offers a quit kit, app, text messages and emails.
• Your local pharmacy can provide free stop smoking advice and can help you choose the best products to help you cut down and quit if you need these. Find your nearest pharmacy.
• Portsmouth Wellbeing Service has trained stop smoking advisors who can offer free, friendly, non-judgemental support and can help develop an individually tailored quit plan with you. They work from venues across the city and provide one-to-one appointments, group sessions and drop-in clinics, or telephone support. They can arrange for you to get stop-smoking products or medication such as patches, gum, lozenges and Cytisine (for a one-off prescription fee), or free vapes and liquids (over 18 years of age only).

Benji stopped smoking last Autumn with support from the Wellbeing Service, having smoked since he was a teenager. He met weekly with Wellbeing Practitioner Allison, who offered expert advice and arranged stop smoking medication.

Benji said: “Allison was very encouraging, it’s not like having a teacher, you’re made to feel comfortable. There is flexibility with it as well, it fits around other commitments.”

“I am now doing the gym and walking; I feel so much better. My raspy voice has gone! I have been putting the money I am saving in a pot and when it’s full up, I can get a passport and go somewhere nice.”

Call 023 9229 4001 or visit Wellbeing Portsmouth to learn more about the free telephone and face-to-face support available to help you quit smoking.