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National No Smoking Day: What You Need To Know

 

It can be hard to quit smoking without the correct advice and tools. No Smoking Day gives you that extra push to stop smoking, providing you with all the right information you need. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about quitting smoking, the key messages from National No Smoking Day and the benefits of quitting smoking.

  • What is National No Smoking Day?
  • Key Messages of National No Smoking Day
  • Benefits of Quitting Smoking
  • How to Stop Smoking
  • What Happens When You Stop Smoking: A Timeline
  • The Nicotine Withdrawal Timeline
  • Find the Right Advice at Home Health

 

What is National No Smoking Day?

First formed on Ash Wednesday 1984, National No Smoking Day is held on the second Wednesday of March. This year, it will be hosted on the 13th March 2024. Originally coordinated by the No Smoking Day Charity, the campaign is now organised by the British Heart Foundation, and Today is the Day.

The aim of this awareness day is to highlight the health implications that come with smoking and encourage smokers to quit. To motivate smokers, new campaigns are created each year. For example, previous themes include “Break Free” and “Time to Quit”.

 

Key Messages of National No Smoking Day

There are several messages behind National No Smoking Day that are used to encourage smokers through the process of quitting and reduce stress. The key messages are:

  • Quitting Doesn’t Have To Be Painful: There are many stop-smoking aids available to help make the process of quitting a little bit easier. For example, NiQuitin has a range of options available for people wanting to participate in No Smoking Day.
  • Quitting Smoking Isn’t Always Easy: With the right tools, it can be easier to quit smoking, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be hard. The aim of No Smoking Day is to get smokers thinking about what life would be like without smoking to help encourage and motivate individuals.
  • The Perfect Day to Start: Without encouragement and a reason, it can be hard to stop smoking. This makes No Smoking Day the ideal day to start, as the sense of community that comes with the awareness day can be a motivating factor you need to start your journey.

 

Benefits of Quitting Smoking

  • Reduced risk of all cancers
  • Reduced chance of developing illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes
  • Increase in mood and energy
  • Increased fertility
  • Reduced expenses – you could save about £1900 a year

 

How to Stop Smoking

The best way to quit smoking is to hold yourself accountable. Tell others you are going to quit smoking so they can help you through the process. By avoiding triggers and letting others know not to tempt you to smoke, you have a higher chance of success.

Another way to stop smoking is by taking advantage of stop smoking aids. This can include nicotine patches and other nicotine replacement therapies, nicotine vapes, and prescription medicines. You can ask your doctor or a support expert from a stop-smoking service to help guide you on the best option for you.

Finally, if you have tried to quit before but it hasn’t worked out, don’t get discouraged! Remember, it is a long process that isn’t always easy. Think about what went well previously and try and implement the same measures again. If there was anything that wasn’t helpful, try to avoid them. Quitting is a process that won’t happen overnight, so don’t give up.

 

What Happens When You Stop Smoking: A Timeline

You may be wondering what the effects of stopping smoking are. Here, we have created a timeline to show you how quickly you can start feeling the benefits after you quit.

  • After 20 minutes: Your pulse rate will start to return to normal.
  • After 8 hours: Oxygen levels begin to recover, and the level of carbon monoxide in your blood will be halved.
  • After 48 hours: All the carbon monoxide in your system will be released. Your taste and smell will also begin to improve.
  • After 2-12 weeks: Your blood circulation will be improved.
  • After 3-9 months: Coughing, wheezing, and other breathing problems will be improved as your lung function will increase to 10%.
  • After 1 year: Your risk of heart attack will be halved compared to a smoker’s risk.
  • After 10 years: Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared to a smoker’s.
  • After 15 years: Your risk of heart attack will now be the same as a non-smoker.

 

The Nicotine Withdrawal Timeline

After quitting smoking, you may experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be severe at first but should become milder gradually after a few days.

  • First 4 hours: After 4 hours, you will probably be craving more nicotine. This can leave you feeling fidgety or stressed.
  • 10 hours: This is where physical symptoms might kick in. You can feel hungry, have low blood sugar, and might notice tingling in your hands and feet because of your blood circulation adjusting.
  • 24 hours: All the nicotine in your system will have been flushed out, so you may experience stronger cravings. This can lead to you feeling anxious or irritable.
  • 2 days: The symptoms you might experience after 48 hours range from cravings to a headache, anxiety, or depression.
  • 3 days: Cravings will start to subside, but you may have a sore throat or start coughing.
  • 1-3 weeks: Cravings for nicotine will be mild now, but you might begin to feel hungry as your metabolism changes.

 

Find the Right Advice at Home Health

With the motivation from No Smoking Day combined with knowledge from Home Health, you can have a successful National No Smoking Day, helping you start your journey to a smoke-free future on the right foot. If you need any help and guidance through quitting smoking, take a look at our health information for more advice and guidance on topics such as Tobacco. Stop smoking today to reduce your risk of developing illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

 

National No Smoking Day FAQs

How long does it take to quit smoking?

On average, it can take smokers about 3 months to overcome a nicotine addiction. This can be dependent on your nicotine withdrawal symptoms, but usually, it can take up to 3 weeks for your cravings to become milder. With the right advice and tools, you can overcome your nicotine addiction and quit smoking for good.

How long does it take to stop craving nicotine?

Very shortly after you have your last cigarette, you might already begin craving another one. Once you stop smoking, you will feel intense cravings for nicotine about 2 to 3 days after your last cigarette. It can take up to 6 weeks for your cravings for nicotine to completely subside.

Does smoking make you tired?

Smoking causes a person to have more carbon monoxide in their system and less oxygen in their bloodstream. As a result, the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body, transporting oxygen. With the heart working harder, extra energy is required, which can make a smoker more likely to be tired.

Can your lungs heal from smoking?

Smoking causes damage to your lungs. As soon as you stop smoking, your lungs will begin to repair themselves. Damaged lung cells will be replaced by new cells, contributing to the regeneration of your lungs. After 3-9 months of quitting smoking, your lung function will increase by up to 10%.

 

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