Smoking is the biggest single cause of cancer in the world.
One person dies from lung cancer every fifteen minutes in the UK, of which almost all cases are caused by smoking.
Research has shown that smoking reduces life expectancy by 7-8 years.
Half of all smokers die as a result of their habit.
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The message that smoking is bad for you is an old one. However, despite this, cigarette smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable death and disease in the UK. Similarly, second-hand tobacco smoke causes equally devastating effects to non-smokers. By quitting smoking not only can you drastically improve your own health but also the health of those around you.
Cigarettes contain around 4,000 chemical compounds and at least 400 toxic substances. When you inhale, a cigarette burns at 700°C at the tip and around 60°C in the core. This heat breaks down the tobacco to produce various toxins. The three main, and most damaging, ingredients are:
Whilst the dangers of smoking are well documented the risks from inhaling other people's smoke are less well known. Passive smoking can also do serious damage to health. In fact, it kills several hundred people each year in the UK. The immediate effects include irritation to the eyes, headaches, sore throats, nausea and asthma attacks.
However, frighteningly, exposure for periods of 30 minutes or more has been shown to reduce coronary blood flow increasing the risk of angina, heart attacks and strokes.
People who live with heavy smokers are the worst hit - particularly children. Children and babies of smokers have a higher risk of developing asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throats, coughs and ear infections. They are also more likely to die from cot death and are more likely to both smoke and develop COPD as adults.
It is never too late to stop smoking to greatly benefit your health. Quitting smoking can have a huge impact on your health and stopping smoking immediately reduces your risk of developing cancer and many other serious diseases.
A person's increased risk of developing a smoking-related disease is directly proportional to the length of time that they continue to smoke as well as the amount smoked. However, if someone stops smoking then these chances gradually decrease as the damage to the body is repaired. In fact, if you stop smoking in middle age before having cancer or some other serious disease you avoid most of the increased risk of death due to smoking.
The following applies if you have smoked since you were a teenager or young adult:
With the smoking ban already in place across the UK, what better time is there to quit smoking?
On July 1st 2007, a new law was introduced to make virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in the UK smoke free.
Passive smoking is one of the key issues that has led to the introduction of the bans, especially in workplaces. And it's hoped that the introduction of the smoking ban will not only save lives lost through passive smoking, but will also encourage smokers to give up their habit.
Local councils are responsible for enforcing the law throughout the UK. They have worked closely with businesses to help ensure that everyone understands how to comply with the law.
People who smoke in a non-smoking area will be fined £50, reduced to £30 if paid within 15 days. If you don't pay this, take the matter to court or repeatedly ignore the ban you can be fined up to £200.
Businesses that ignore illegal smoking will be fined at least £200 rising up to £2,500 if managers fail to stop smokers lighting up.
Members of the public who wish to report a breach of the new law should call 0800 587 1667.
Despite the weight of evidence outlining the ill health effects of smoking, most smokers find it very difficult to give up. Don't forget that nicotine is addictive and quitting smoking is often hard. The important thing is that you try and keep trying until you succeed.
Research suggests that smokers should set a date to stop and do their best to quit completely from this point. However, if your best attempt fails, don't rush into quitting again before you are ready, think about what went wrong and try to be prepared next time.
If you want to quit smoking talk to your GP or your pharmacist as there are a number of products that can help you along the way. Nicotine replacement products such as skin patches and gum or the drug Champix, a medicine that's licensed to help smoking cessation, may help.
If you have any concerns please do not hesitate in contacting your GP. There are also various other sources that you can refer to or contact for further help and information.