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Smoking - kick the habit

Let's face facts. There are plenty of good reasons to kick the habit. Smoking is the single greatest cause of illness and premature death in this country, through heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and asthma. Smoking kills around 300 people every day. Around half of all regular cigarette smokers will be killed by their habit.

In Portsmouth around 30% of people smoke regularly. Smoking levels are much higher in some areas than others, contributing to a 12-year difference in life expectancy between some city centre wards and those on the outskirts.

Cancer of the cervic, pancreas, kidney, liver, bladder and stomach are all linked to smoking, as well as lung cancer and cancer of the mouth and throat. In fact, 30% of all cancer deaths can be attributed to smoking. Smoking is also linked to heart attacks, strokes, respiratory conditions including asthma, menstrual problems, osteoporosis, sperm abnormalities and impotence, as well as significant problems during pregnancy.

Can you breathe easy, knowing cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide, gas chamber poison, aeroplane fuel, cyanide and even swamp gas?

Remember, it's not too late to make a big difference to your health and stubbing out cigarettes means more money in your pocket.
Giving up can reduce your risk of developing many of the health problems associated with smoking. In fact, within 10-15 years of giving up, an ex-smoker's risk of developing lung cancer is only slightly greater than that of a non-smoker.

Did you know, the average smoker spends £92,000 in a lifetime on cigarettes? That's the equivalent of a luxury holiday every year for the next 30 years.

A guide to giving up smoking

There are plenty of places that can support you if you decide to quit:

• ring the Stop Smoking Service 023 9236 9234
• contact your GP
• ring the NHS Smoking Helpline 0800 169 0169
• one to one support is available at pharmacists
• web sites giving advice, under external links
• 'Go For It' service for young people 023 9273 2450

10 tips to help you quit:

• think positive - believe you can do it
• take one day at a time - everyday is an achievement
• tell everyone you have quit - and use the support of family, friends and colleagues
• keep busy - you are more likely to smoke if you are bored
• change your routine - removing some of the situations where you would usually smoke and will be tempted
• clear away reminders - throw out the cigarettes and put ashtrays away
• take some exercise - it's a great way to take your mind off smoking
• count the money you are saving - and treat yourself as a reward
• treat yourself to something special as a reward
• don't be tempted to have just 'one' - you could find yourself back where you started
• use the services on offer to help you stop

More information on health is available from our Health Improvement & Development Service website.

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