Make a fresh quit for 2024 for better health, more money and less stress

Smokers in County Durham and Darlington are being encouraged to put smoking behind them this New Year for better health, more money and less stress.

People who smoke are being encouraged to "make a fresh quit" and visit FreshQuit.co.uk for tips, advice and local quit support.

There are lots of reasons to make a quit attempt and start 2024 smokefree:

• A healthier New Year: easier breathing, fewer coughs and colds and less risk of a diseases such as cancer, heart attack, stroke and COPD
• More money: quitting smoking will give you money you didn't know you had - another £47 a week or £2400 a year.
• Less stress: quitting smoking is proven to leave people feeling calmer and happier after a few weeks. Using quit aids, nicotine replacement or a vape can help ease any cravings.

●      Quitting smoking makes it less likely your children will smoke. Evidence shows teens are nearly three times more likely to smoke if their parents, caregivers or friends do.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is supporting the New Year Smoking Survivors campaign from Fresh, North East local authorities and the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

It launches across the North East and North Cumbria from December 28 featuring the powerful films of cancer survivors Sue and Cathy.

Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, said: "None of us want our children to start on an addiction which kills 2 in 3 smokers and costs tens of thousands of pounds over a lifetime.

"Stopping for your family is an important reason - be around longer for them and reduce the risks of them ever taking up smoking.

"Even if you have tried to quit before, give it another go and make a fresh quit - this time it can be different."

It can take a number of attempts to successfully stop for good - but there are lots of ways to stop which can take a lot of the stress out of quitting.

Your chances improve if you use a quitting aid or switch completely to vaping to reduce cravings. Stop Smoking Services can also help you develop a plan to help you stop for good.

Here's how your body recovers when you quit

After 20 minutes

Your pulse rate starts to return to normal.

After 8 hours

Your oxygen levels are recovering, and the level of harmful carbon monoxide 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 2-12 weeks

Blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved.

After 6 weeks

Smokers who stop have better mental health than those who continue to smoke. One study found that benefits could be seen as soon as six weeks and were maintained even a number of years after stopping.

After 3-9 months

Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases.

After 1 year

Great news! Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker's.

After 10 years

Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker's.

Source: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/