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Smoking – The background

Every day, hundreds of teenagers start smoking. Many don't even know why they've started, but once you are addicted, it's very hard to stop. Cigarettes contain a highly addictive drug called nicotine. Nicotine is a stimulant - smoking speeds up the body system increasing your heart rate and blood pressure. It's amazing to think that every day, just as many people are giving up smoking in a way that works for them. Some go for hypnosis, nicotine patches, and cessation (stopping) clinics.

Smoking related illnesses

There are over 4,000 chemicals in tobacco, most of which are bad for your health. Here are some of the illnesses related to smoking.

• Cancer (lungs, mouth, nose, throat, leukaemia).
• Chronic-breathing problems (bronchitis and emphysema).
• Coronary heart disease.
• Strokes.
• Gangrene.

The facts

• One in two lifelong smokers will die from smoking.
• The younger you start, the more likely you are to be killed by the addiction.
• A person who starts smoking at the age of 15 is three times as likely to die from Cancer as someone who starts smoking in their mid 20s.

Tips to help you quit

• Make a date to stop smoking and stick to it.
• Chew gum. This can help keep the craving at bay (anything that keeps your mouth or hands occupied).
• At moments of weakness focus on the reasons why you wanted to stop.
• If you turn to the fridge instead of cigarettes, make sure it's healthy food so you don't have to worry about your waistline.
• Drink plenty of water this will help to flush out all the toxins in your body.

Remember that every day you go without a smoke you're beating the addiction.

Smoking and the law

• You have to be 18 to purchase any form of tobacco products as well as rolling papers. 
• Britainis smoke free. You can not smoke in any enclosed place that is open to the public such as pubs, clubs, restaurants and all places of work.

Help lines

• NHS Smoking Helpline - 0800 169 0 169
• QUIT (Independent charity) - 0800 00 22 00

Useful websites

QUIT Because
QUIT is the independent charity whose aim is to save lives by helping smokers to stop.

ASH - Action on Smoking and Health
ASH is a campaigning public health charity working to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.

Stop Smoking Tips
Provides information about the dangerous effects of smoking, benefits of quitting smoking and easy and effective tips to stop smoking.

Young Health
Health services for young people living in South West Essex.

NHS Choice – Teens guide to quitting smoking
Information on ways to help you quit smoking.

Online tools

Stop smoking tracker
This tool gives you daily messages, and keeps track of how much you're saving and how many days it's been since your last cigarette. Great motivators for staying smokefree.

Smoking calculator
This smoking calculator will work out the financial and physical costs of smoking and show how giving up today improves your prospects.

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