Smoking Information

• Smoking remains the largest preventable cause of premature death and disability in the United Kingdom.
• The single most important health intervention that we as Health Professionals can make is to help you stop smoking.
• Help is available at the Medical Centre on a one to one basis or group support by appointment.

Important Facts about Smoking

• Half of all smokers in the United Kingdom have given up over the past ten years.
• Most smokers say they would like to quit.
• Ways of stopping smoking are as varied and individual as the people who are stopping.
• Potential quitters will choose the way that suits them best.
• Tobacco smoke contains 4000 chemicals which include- Nicotine, Tar, Carbon Monoxide, Acetone, Ammonia of Arsenic, Butane, DDT, Hydrogen cyanide, Lead, Radioactive fallout and Sulphuric acid.
• Nicotine is a powerful addictive drug. It releases adrenalin into the blood increasing heart rate and blood pressure. It constricts the arteries.
• Tar is found when tobacco smoke condenses.
• Cigarette smoking depresses the immune defence and can affect fertility in men and women.

Weight gain

• It is more dangerous to smoke than to gain weight
• Current appearance is perceived as more important than future health
• You would have to increase weight by 50% above ideal body weight to face the same risks of smoking.
• Remember each packet of cigarettes causes as mush stress on the heart as 50 – 70 lbs of extra weight.

A closer look at the benefits of quitting

The benefits of quitting start immediately. It is never too late to stop smoking. Here is the timeline of benefits.

20 mins:

• Blood pressure and pulse return to normal. Circulation improves in hands and feet, making them warmer.

24 hours•

• Carbon Monoxide is eliminated from the body. The lungs start to clear out mucus and other debris.

48 hours•

• Nicotine is no longer detectable in the body. The ability to smell and taste is improved.

72 hours

Breathing becomes easier as the bronchial tubes relax and energy levels begin to increase.

2 – 12 weeks

• Circulation improves throughout the body, making exercise easier.

3 – 9 months

• Breathing problems (e.g. coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing) show improvement with lung function increased by 4 – 10%.

5 years

• Risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.10 years
• Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack similar to someone who has never smoked.