Most smokers recognise the health risks associated with smoking. Many smokers would like to quit to prevent further damage to their health, but the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that less than 5% of smokers trying to quit unaided remain abstinent at one year.

It is believed most smokers continue to smoke not out of choice, but because they are addicted to nicotine. Nicotine is a substance that easily crosses the blood-brain barrier after a single puff, and influences a range of biological functions. Addiction to nicotine from smoking is a chronic, relapsing medical condition. The addictive properties of nicotine in cigarettes and the psychological and physical dependence caused by smoking explain why people try to stop smoking numerous times before quitting successfully.

The Effects of Smoking
• Worldwide, billions of people smoke. Smoking has been found to harm nearly every organ in the body and is associated with many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and stroke. One in two smokers will die from smoking-related illness.
• For the majority of smokers both the physically and psychologically addictive nature of tobacco products
makes quitting difficult.
• Part of nicotine’s hold on smokers is believed to be due to its effect on brain dopamine levels, which are associated with positive feelings.

The Benefits of Stopping Smoking

• Within hours of quitting, the body begins to repair itself.
• After 10-15 years of being smoke-free, an ex-smoker has a similar risk of stroke to a person who has never smoked.
• Stopping smoking at any age reduces the risk of premature death.

When you quit smoking, you will get the health benefits almost immediately! So, why not quit today? It is one
of the most important steps that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives.