Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. By stopping it increases your chances of living a longer and healthier life. You'll feel the benefits from the day you quit. Not only will you to start to save money but you'll experience a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, vascular disease, respiratory disease and a whole range of cancers. Stopping smoking can also help the health of your friends and family – a smoke-free childhood is the best option.
For more information on the benefits of stopping smoking look at the information on NHS inform here.
Small changes you can make
- Find out how much you are spending on cigarettes with the quit calculator tool and come up with some thoughts on how else you could spend that money.
- Agree that your journey to stopping smoking starts here. Create an online quit plan which will help you in being prepared and boosts your chances of success.
- Ask for help! You are four times more likely to stop smoking if you receive help from a trained advisor and a medical product such as nicotine patches.
- If you’re struggling to stop smoking then you can still make changes to prevent harm from smoking. Take it right outside is a national campaign to reduce the harm caused by second-hand smoke (other people’s smoking). By smoking outside of the home you reduce the spread of toxic chemicals in the home and help to protect those that live there from second-hand smoke exposure. It is also illegal to smoke in vehicle with anyone under the age of 18.
Further support and resources
- Quit Your Way, NHS Border’s stop smoking service provides free support in the community via specialist advisors in various locations in the Borders. Quit Your Way’s Facebook page includes up to date information about session times or please call the service on 01896 824502. This number is open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, to take referrals from members of the public, give out information about local services and other resources. An out of hours answering facility is available. You can also get support through the Quit Your Way programme at your local pharmacy.
- NHS Borders Wellbeing Service offers support to people who wish to improve their lives in one or more of the following areas: mental health and wellbeing; being more active; eating more healthily, quitting smoking. Trained advisers offer support sessions. People can self refer or be referred by their GP/other health professionals. For further information visit www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/wellbeing, call 01896 824502 or email wellbeing@borders.scot.nhs.uk
- You can also call the national helpline Smokeline on 0800 848484. This number is open 7 days a week 8am-10pm. There is also a web chat service for those who prefer to chat online on the canstopsmoking website.
- ASH Scotland’s #BeFreeAchieveMore campaign has information for young people about the benefits of being smoke free, including being fitter, happier and better off financially: https://www.befree.scot/