Stop Smoking

How to stop smoking?

Making a plan to stop smoking and sticking to it is the key to successfully quitting. The health benefits start immediately after you stop smoking. Set a date that you are going to stop smoking and prepare for that day. Some people find that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a helpful way to stop smoking. You could try using nicotine patches or gum. There are also support groups available locally or online, and a stop smoking service you can access for advice from a stop smoking advisor. Alternatively, you can order Champix online from Dr Felix to double your chances of quitting successfully.

Why should I stop smoking?

Smoking can harm your lungs and your overall health. It can lead to serious illness and death. Some examples of what smoking does to your body include: 

• Damaging your heart and blood circulation, leaving you at risk of heart disease and blood clots
• Increasing your risk of a stroke by 50%
• Lung cancer and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) 
• Stomach cancer or ulcers
• Kidney cancer
• Throat and mouth cancer
• Stained teeth and bad breath
• Premature ageing of the skin
• Impotence 
• Osteoporosis
• Shortened life span

Once you stop smoking, your risk of developing smoking related illnesses drops and your overall health will improve. You will also save money, and your friends and family will not be exposed to secondhand smoke anymore.

What are the statistics underlying smoking?

Statistics from research carried out by the NHS indicate: 

• Smoking causes 80,000 deaths in England every year
• One in two smokers die from a smoking related disease 
• 93% of throat cancer cases are caused by smoking 
• 84% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking 
• Smoking doubles your risk of a heart attack or stroke 
• Second hand smoke causes around 11,000 deaths each year in the UK

How dangerous is smoking?

Smoking is harmful to your health and can lead to serious illness and death. If you smoke, you have a 1 in 2 chance of dying from ill health caused directly from smoking. When you smoke, you are also putting family members and the people around you at risk from second hand smoke.

Why is it so hard to stop smoking?

Cigarettes contain a highly addictive compound called nicotine and this can make it hard to stop smoking. When you inhale nicotine, dopamine is released in the brain and this is a ‘feel good’ hormone. Smokers quickly build up a tolerance to nicotine, which means the effects wear off quickly and leaves you craving another cigarette. Smoking also becomes an ingrained habit. It's common to smoke at certain times during the day or when you're feeling stressed. The absence of this can be difficult to get used to.

How long does it take to stop smoking?

It can take several attempts to stop smoking completely. The process is different for everyone. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, so you can expect your cravings to last for several weeks before they begin to subside. However, you can try ordering Champix online from Dr Felix to reduce nicotine cravings and double your chances of quitting.

What are the health risks of e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are still being researched to establish their long term effects on your health. They contain some of the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, and they contain nicotine so they are addictive. As e-cigarettes are not regulated, it may not be safe to use them.

How can I help someone who is trying to quit smoking?

Showing support is crucial when helping someone quit smoking. Avoid criticising or lecturing them; instead, focus on the small victories and practice active listening. Pay attention to their feelings and struggles and offer them opportunities to open up and tell you how you can help them. Arrange activities to help distract them from their cravings and change up their routine, or suggest ideas to help them de-stress.

What is the easiest way to quit smoking?

Quitting smoking is never an easy thing to do no matter which method you choose. You could try prescription medicines such as Champix or Zyban, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or behavioural therapy. Try to address both the physical symptoms and cravings and the psychological impact of quitting smoking.

This is the first time, I’m trying to quit smoking, what should I try?

You can try nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or order Champix online from Dr Felix.

The NHS also offers free advice through their stop smoking programmes which are designed to support you every step of the way. You can access them through your doctor or local pharmacy.

I’ve tried nicotine replacements, what should I try now?

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) provides you with a supply of nicotine in place of cigarettes. However, this does not help reduce your cravings for nicotine. You can try Champix, which you can order online from Dr Felix. Champix is designed to ease your cravings and doubles your chances of quitting smoking successfully.

What medications can help me quit smoking?

Champix and Zyban are two medicines which are designed to help you quit smoking. They will help ease your nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. You can order Champix online from Dr Felix.

How to set realistic goals for quitting smoking?

The NHS offers a free personal quit plan from their website which is a good place to start and set realistic goals. You should be prepared to quit smoking before a certain date and find support groups that can help in the event of a relapse. Keep track of your progress and achievements to motivate you to stick to your goals.

How to find the motivation to stop smoking?

Smoking is a complex addiction, so finding the motivation to stop smoking can be difficult. It can help to make a list of reasons to quit, the benefits to your quality of life, and the impact it will have on your family and friends. For example: 

• Your health will improve 
• You will significantly reduce your chances of a smoking related illness 
• You'll have more energy and will be able to breathe easier 
• Being active won't put as much strain on your heart and lungs
• You'll save money 
• Bad breath and damaged or stained teeth will stop being an issue
• You won't be exposing anyone to secondhand smoke

How to find the confidence you need to stop smoking?

Reaching out to support services, or friends and family, can help you build up your confidence so that you feel able to take the first step towards quitting. You may want to try behavioural therapy or find support groups such as the NHS stop smoking programme, or an online support forum to talk to other people on their quit smoking journey.

Are e-cigarettes healthier than smoking?

E-cigarettes are healthier than smoking. They pose less of a risk to your health, but they are addictive because they also contain nicotine. E-cigarettes still contain harmful chemicals and their negative impact on your health is still being researched.

Are e-cigarettes a good option to help you quit smoking?

E-cigarettes are a helpful alternative to cigarettes to help you quit smoking. As a healthier alternative to smoking, they work well as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). However, e-cigarettes will not cure nicotine addiction. The aim of NRT is to reduce your nicotine intake until you can stop altogether. Try to use e-cigarettes in combination with the help of support groups or behavioural therapy.

Do lungs recover after stopping smoking?

After you stop smoking, your lungs will heal to a certain extent. In the first few weeks, you'll notice an improvement in your breathing and the inflammation inside your lungs will start to decrease. You may experience a cough at first but this is your lungs clearing out excess mucus. Your risk of lung cancer will start to decrease the longer you go without smoking, but not all lung damage can be reversed. People who have been smoking for a long time may go on to develop COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

How do we know that smoking causes lung cancer?

Cigarettes contain at least 60 carcinogenic (cancer producing) substances which is how smoking poses such a high risk of lung cancer. 85% of lung cancer cases are directly caused by smoking. Passive smoking can also lead to lung cancer; people who live with a smoker are 25% more likely to develop lung cancer than a non-smoker who is not exposed to secondhand smoke.

Can you get lung cancer if you have never smoked?

Although smoking is the single biggest risk factor for lung cancer, it is still possible to get it if you have never smoked. Passive smoking can cause just as much damage as smoking and increases the risk of smoking related diseases like lung cancer. Exposure to the following substances can also lead to lung cancer:

• Radon
• Arsenic 
• Asbestos 
• Beryllium 
• Cadmium 
• Coal or coke fumes
• Silica 
• Nickel
• Diesel fumes 
• Air pollution

Is smoking really good for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Smoking can have a mixed effect on inflammatory bowel disease depending on what type of illness you have. Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term used to describe Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Smokers are more at risk of developing Crohn's disease. Smoking causes more frequent and severe flare ups in those who have Crohn’s disease. In contrast, some studies have shown that ulcerative colitis is more common in non-smokers. There is also evidence that smokers with ulcerative colitis experience less flare ups and milder symptoms. This does not mean that smoking is a healthy option; smoking still causes many types of cancers and damages your health.

Why is smoking so addictive?

Cigarettes contain nicotine which is a highly addictive substance. Nicotine causes the release of two chemicals in the brain. These are dopamine and noradrenaline. They create a feel good ‘rush’ that smokers become dependent on, or crave, and this is known as an addiction.

Is smoking marijuana just as dangerous as smoking cigarettes?

Smoking marijuana is just as dangerous and harmful to your lungs as smoking cigarettes. This is partly due to the way it is consumed. Often, marijuana is mixed with tobacco, so the harmful chemicals contained in cigarettes are still being inhaled, and this is particularly dangerous given that marijuana is usually inhaled more deeply and held inside the lungs for a long time. Even when marijuana is not mixed with tobacco, the act of inhaling smoke damages the lungs.

How can you tell if you’re addicted to cigarettes?

You can tell that you are addicted to cigarettes if you find yourself craving them, or you experience withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance contained in cigarettes, so every time you smoke you are more likely to become dependent on them. 

How to deal with nicotine cravings

Nicotine cravings may be triggered by events or at certain times of the day when you normally smoke. Cravings can be uncomfortable to resist, but they are temporary so the best thing to do is to wait it out. Keeping yourself busy and distracted by exercising, chewing gum and sticking to smoke-free areas can help. You could also try slow deep breathing, or calling a helpline to speak to a stop smoking advisor.

Is nicotine harmful, or is it the other ingredients in cigarettes?

Nicotine itself does not lead to cancer or other serious illnesses, it's the other toxic chemicals in cigarettes, such as tar and carbon monoxide, that are dangerous. E-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking a cigarette but they are still a risk to your health.

Are roll-ups healthier than normal cigarettes?

Roll-ups are not healthier than normal cigarettes. They still contain the same amount of toxic chemicals as regular cigarettes and are just as harmful to your lungs and overall health.

Can passive smoking cause health problems?

Passive smoking can and does cause health problems. People exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of lung cancer and heart disease, as well as the other health risks caused by smoking cigarettes.

Can you get addicted to nicotine from passive smoking?

Yes, being continually exposed to secondhand smoke can cause consumption of nicotine, which can lead to nicotine dependence or addiction.