Stop Smoking Day - it's never too late to quit
This year's No Smoking Day is swiftly approaching as it takes place on Wednesday 13 March and commemorates it's 40th anniversary. This occasion is a time for us to unite and offer encouragement and support to those on their quitting journeys.
There are over 5.3 million adults in England who still smoke, and smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death in England, and up to 2 in 3 smokers will die as a result of long-term smoking. Almost every minute of every day someone is admitted to hospital in England with a smoking-related disease and in 2022-23, there were an estimated 400,000 hospital admissions in England due to smoking and 1 in 4 hospital patients is a smoker.
Despite the clear health risks of smoking, it’s estimated that nearly 50 million cigarettes are smoked every day in England – around nine cigarettes a day per smoker. On average smokers spend £38.59 a week on tobacco, meaning they could have around £2,000 more to spend a year by quitting. However, smoking rates have reduced considerably since the first year of No Smoking Day 40 years ago and this year’s campaign aims to continue this pattern and encourage people to quit by offering free proven NHS resources and advice.
Seeking support
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health - it’s never too late to quit. When you stop smoking, there are almost immediate improvements to your health. It’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support and there are lots of options to choose from. Getting expert support from your local stop smoking services means you’re three times as likely to quit for good.
Better Health offers a range of free quitting support, including the NHS Quit Smoking app, local stop smoking service look-up tool, as well as advice on stop smoking aids including information on how vaping can help you quit smoking. Nicotine vapes are one of the most effective stop smoking aids. Almost two-thirds of people who use a vape along with support from their local Stop Smoking Service successfully quit smoking.
Be part of the change and help build a smoke free generation. For free support to quit smoking, search 'smoke free'. You can also contact our in-house Smoking Cessation Service at ch-tr.justlivewell@nhs.net or ext: 5287 / 5906.