Tobacco causes 8 million deaths every year. Smoking remains the biggest cause of death and illness in Newham and almost 40,000 residents in the borough smoke.
This represents around 14% of the adult population, which is higher than the London average (13%). Smoking is more common among people with mental health conditions. 26% of adults in Newham with a long-term mental health condition have been identified as smokers. Reducing smoking among this group will reduce the health inequalities they can sometimes experience.
Some smokers believe that smoking helps you to relax, when actually smoking increases anxiety and tension. Quitting not only improves your physical health –it boosts your mental health and wellbeing too. When evidence was released this year that smokers were more likely to develop severe disease with COVID-19 compared to non-smokers, it triggered millions of smokers to want to quit tobacco. Quitting can be challenging, especially with the added social and financial stress that have affected many because of the pandemic. But, there are a lot of reasons to quit!
- The benefits of quitting tobacco are almost immediate.
- After just 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your heart rate drops.
- Within 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
- Within 2-12 weeks, your circulation improves and lung function increases.
- Within 1-9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
- Within 5-15 years, your stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker.
- Within 10 years, your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker.
- Within 15 years, your risk of heart disease is that of a non-smoker. If that’s not enough here are a few more reasons!
Smokers who quit for six weeks or more are happier and experience less anxiety and depression than those who carry on smoking. People who have quit smoking for a year are happier than those who continue to smoke.
There has never been a more important time to quit smoking.
Residents who want to quit smoking can self-refer to the service by:
- Calling the helpline on 020 7882 8230 / 0800 1691943
- Emailing clinicbookings@qmul.ac.uk
- Text or WhatsApp WNTD I want to quit to 07474 082 330
- Or for more information visit www.newham.gov.uk/stopsmoking
What happens when you sign up?
Stopping smoking with expert help increases the chances of quitting by three or four-hold. Stop Smoking Practitioners will give practical advice and tips on quitting smoking including the best methods available, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (like patches and gums) to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Increase your chance of quitting smoking with a combination of advisor support and free medication.
Even if you have tried it before – why not give it another go – you can do it. Give us a call Newham Stop Smoking Advisors can support you through this journey.