In the UK one person dies from a smoking-related disease every four minutes, and women who smoke while they're pregnant increase their risk of miscarriage.
If you want to improve your health, stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do. Why? Because smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, leukaemia and other cancers, such as mouth and throat cancer.
Colds, chest problems, allergies like hay fever, bronchitis and emphysema are all made worse by smoking. And we haven't even mentioned wrinkles, bad breath and cellulite...
Secondhand smoke
Smoking doesn't just harm the smoker. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease and blood clots in non-smokers, too.
Children are in particular danger from secondhand smoke. They're more likely to suffer serious respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia, asthma, meningitis, coughs and colds and ear infections.
Benefits of quitting
What happens when you stop smoking?
- Your risk of cancer, heart or lung disease reduces, along with your risk of gangrene or amputation caused by circulatory problems.
- Your breathing and general fitness improves, as does the appearance of your skin and teeth.
- You reduce the risk of your children developing serious health problems.
- You save money - several hundred pounds a month if you smoke a lot.
Don't go it alone
There are so many places to get help when you stop smoking, you don't have to rely on willpower alone any more.
ASDA pharmacies offer advice and products to help you quit. Call 0500 100055 or visit www.asda.com to find your nearest ASDA pharmacy store.
The NHS has a dedicated website or call the free NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169.
For an alternative method to help you quit, visit Allen Carr's Easyway To Stop Smoking.
