Help to quit smoking

Smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK - Every year around 78,000 people in the UK die from smoking, with many more living with debilitating smoking-related illnesses.

Smoking increases your risk of developing more than 50 serious health conditions, some of them fatal.

However, if you give up smoking, the health benefits begin almost immediately.

Second-hand Smoke

People, including children, exposed to second-hand smoke, are also at increased risk, so we should particularly avoid smoking at home and in the car.  Second-hand smoke is particularly dangerous for those with existing health conditions, like asthma or heart disease.

E-cigarette use

Nicotine vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking and is an effective tools for quitting smoking.  It is not recommended for long term use. Vaping is not recommended for non-smokers and young people.

Click here to see the South East England Position Statement on Vaping 2024.

When to quit

It is never too late to quit, no matter your age.

Once smoke-free, there are very real health benefits, with the body continuing to repair itself the longer you stay smoke-free. The more immediate benefits include:

• after 48 hours carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris
• after 72 hours breathing becomes easier as bronchial tubes begin to relax
• after 2 to 12 weeks blood circulation improves, making physical activity like walking and running easier

Where to find support

You can use the smoke-free app to access advice and support on how you can best stop smoking. Search ‘Smoke-free’

Support to quit smoking is available from your local stop smoking service.  Please contact them for support and advice