National No Smoking Day 2020 – 11th March
No Smoking Day kicks off this year on Wednesday 11th March, with thousands of people across the country teaming up to tackle quitting together.
Make this your year to kick the habit!
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. Even if you’ve smoked for years, quitting will still reduce your risk of heart and circulatory diseases. It’s never too late to quit. You might notice benefits sooner than you think:
- 20 minutes after you quit smoking, your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.
- After 2–3 days your sense of smell and taste improve.
- After 2–12 weeks exercise becomes easier and your breathing improves.
- After 1 year your risk of having a heart attack is half that of a smoker.
Top tips to get you started
- Plan Ahead
Make a promise, set a date and stick to it. Once you have committed to No Smoking Day as your quit date, think forward to times where it might be difficult (a night out, for example), and plan your actions or escape routes in advance.
- Stay Active
Studies show that exercise, even a 5-minute walk around the office, cuts cravings and may help your brain produce anti-craving chemicals.
- Change Your Routines
Reflect on when in your routine you usually have a cigarette and then make some changes. If you normally have a cigarette straight after dinner, try getting up and doing the washing up instead.
- Re-visit motivations
Write a list of all of the reasons you want to quit. Keep re-visiting that list and reminding yourself why you want to be smokefree.
- Get help
Many smokers want to quit but aren’t sure about the best way to go about it. Did you know that you’re up to 3 times more likely to quit successfully with expert help and advice from a Stop Smoking Service?
You don’t have to go it alone
The Stop Smoking Service is there to offer you the guidance you need. There’s lots of FREE support on offer and by using the help that’s right for you, you’ll be boosting your chance of quitting for good. Please call 0800 013 0553 or to refer yourself via the website please click here
