No Smoking Day 2024
It takes place on the second Wednesday in March, and it’s an opportunity for people across the country to unite in supporting the nation’s 5.3 million smokers to make a quit attempt.
In Numbers:
- Two in three smokers will die as a result of long-term smoking
- One in four hospital patients is a smoker
- Every day someone is admitted to hospital with a smoking-related disease
- In 2022-23, there was an estimated 400,000 hospital admissions due to smoking
- It’s estimated nearly 50 million cigarettes are smoked every day – around nine cigarettes a day per smoker.
What happens when you quit?
When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you will be able to breathe easier. There are lots of other benefits too, like saving lots of money – and they start almost immediately. The sooner you quit, the sooner you'll notice changes to your body, mind and health. Look at what happens when you quit for good.
After just 20 minutes- Check your pulse rate, it will already be starting to return to normal.
After 8 hours- Your oxygen levels are recovering, and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half.
After 48 hours- All carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
After 72 hours -If you notice that breathing feels easier, it's because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also your energy will be increasing.
After 2 to 12 weeks- Blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved.
After 3 to 9 months -Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases by up to 10%.
After 1 year -Great news! Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker's.
After 10 years -More great news! Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker's.
Benefits to your mental health
We all know that quitting smoking improves physical health. But it's also proven to boost your mental health and wellbeing: it can improve mood and help relieve stress, anxiety and depression. Evidence suggests the beneficial effect of stopping smoking on symptoms of anxiety and depression can equal that of taking antidepressants.
Get Support and increase your chance of quitting:
- Answer 3 easy questions to find the combination of support that's right for you to get your free personal quit plan.
- Call the free National Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044. Talk to a trained adviser for advice and support. Open: Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 4pm
- Join others going through the same thing in a friendly and supportive environment: Join the Quit Smoking Support Group on Facebook
- Get in touch with the Halton Stop Smoking Service; a local team of advisors who use tried and tested ways to help you change your smoking habits, such as nicotine therapy.
0300 029 0029
