Why Quit Smoking?

• To improve your health and reduce risk of life threatening diseases.
• To enjoy a better quality of life, to be fitter and healthier.
• To be a better role model for your family and friends.
• To have more money in your pocket.
• To improve your image, have better skin, teeth, hair and nicer smelling clothes.

SMOKING FACTS

• Smoking is linked to 1 in every 3 cancers in Ireland.
• 1 in every 2 smokers will die of a tobacco related disease.
• In Ireland, smoking is the leading cause of avoidable death.
• Nearly 5,500 people die in Ireland each year from the effects of smoking.
• Every cigarette a person smokes reduces his/her life by five and a half minutes.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF QUITTING

• Within 20 minutes your circulation will improve, your heart rate and blood pressure will lower. This reduces your risk of heart attack straight away.
• Within 8 hours the carbon monoxide level in your blood will drop and the oxygen level will go up.
• Within 24-48 hours all the carbon monoxide will have left your body.
• Within a few days your sense of smell and taste will start to improve.
• After 72 hours your breathing will improve and your energy levels will increase.
• Within 2 or 3 months your lung capacity can increase by up to 30%.
• Within 1 year your chance of heart attack drops by half and within 10 years the risk drops to almost the same as a non-smoker.
• Within 5 years the risk of smoking related cancers will be greatly reduced.

TAKING ACTION

• Set a date to stop.
• Ask for support from friends & family.
• Prepare your surroundings and throw out any remaining cigarettes.
• Be prepared to change your routine – during the times you normally had a cigarette, fill these gaps with activities you enjoy.
• Save the money from not smoking and reward yourself.
• Watch what you eat as food should not become a substitute for cigarettes.
• Be prepared for difficult times

For more blog posts on health and wellbeing check out Thrive from Laya Healthcare. You can also get a quote online for Health Insurance.