Author Archives: Jackie Aim

Tips to help you quit

Remember all smokers are different.
Prepare to quit- make a plan.
If you have tried to quit but it did not work first time, try again using different support.
Involve family and friends if this helps.
Know the triggers that make you think about cigarettes (e.g. first thing in morning or after a meal).
Be prepared to change your habits around smoking behaviour like – what to do with your hands, how to cope if you are with others who are smoking.
Plan healthy alternatives.
Pick support and therapy that suits you- there are lots to choose from!
Reward your success- be good to yourself!!

CHSS supports the Charter for a smoke free generation in Scotland by 2034 to protect young people and support positive health choices.

Varenicline (Champix®) and Bupropion (Zyban®)

Varenicline (Champix®) is a medicine that reduces cravings and reduces withdrawal symptoms. It does not contain nicotine.

It can be four times more effective in helping you to quit than on your own.

To work it must be started about two weeks before your “Quit date”.
Champix®:

Is not used in combination with Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
Is not suitable for some people so discuss with your GP, practice nurse, pharmacist or the leader at your smoking cessation class.
Can be used for adults over 18 years.
Can be issued from selected community pharmacies.

Bupropion (Zyban®):

Reduces craving and can double your chance of succeeding.
Changes your brain’s response to nicotine.
As it is not suitable for everyone and is only available on prescription from your doctor you should discuss with him/her your options.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine is the addictive substance found in cigarette smoke. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) helps you to quit by giving you control of your craving for nicotine by gradually reducing the amount of nicotine in your body.

NRT is a safe and clean version of Nicotine which is effective.

Nicotine patches are long acting (16 or 24 hours).
Gum, sprays, inhalators, micro tabs and mouth strips are short-acting and can be used along with a patch.

E-cigarettes also contain nicotine but are not yet licensed in the UK as a quit smoking product and are not available via NHS clinics. Long term effects of using E-cigarettes are not yet known. More research is needed to show if they are safe and effective or not especially for long term use.

Information

If you are using home oxygen you should not smoke or use E-cigarettes as there is a danger of fire or explosion from oxygen rich environment around you and some E- cigarette rechargeable units.

Support available to help you quit

You are 4 times more likely to succeed if you get specialist support and therapies from an NHS Stop Smoking Service. They offer a range of help to suit you. You do not have to join a group if that is not for you. All NHS Stop Smoking Services are free.

Group support
Individual support
Home visits if you are housebound
Support in hospital when attending a regular clinic (e.g. asthma clinic)
Hospital In-patient support
Local Pharmacy
Apps for your smart phone

Stop smoking services:
Quit Your Way can be contacted Monday – Friday from 9am until 5pm.
Taking action on smoking and health (ash)

Improve your wealth

purse

Currently a packet of 20 cigarettes costs around £8, so quitting will give a 20-a-day smoker an extra £56 a week.
You’ll also save money in other ways. Life, home and car insurance can all be cheaper when you’re a non-smoker.

For a 20-a-day smoker, in

1 day: you’ll have enough money to rent a movie or buy a few magazines.
1 week: you could have enough money for a new pair of shoes, or a facial, a cheap train ticket a DVD box set, a day out with your family.
1 month: you could save enough for a shopping spree, a flight to Europe or premiership football tickets.
3 months: you could afford two weeks in the sun, a new laptop, or the latest flat screen TV.
6 months: you’ll have saved enough for a football season ticket, a family holiday, your own home cinema.
1 year: you’ll be able to afford a new kitchen, flash designer jewellery, a car!
Go to the on-line cost calculator at Can Stop Smoking website to find out how much smoking is costing you financially.

It is never too late to quit

No smoking in grounds and buildings

These are just some health benefits as soon as you quit smoking

After 20 minutes – Blood pressure and pulse improve.
After 8 hours – Oxygen levels in the blood improve.
After 1 day – Lungs start to clear out mucous and other debris.
After 2 days – Sense of taste and smell starts to improve
After 3 days – Breathing becomes easier as bronchial tubes begin to relax.
After 3 months – Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve.
After 9 months – Lung function can improve by up to 10%.

Improve your health- Benefits of quitting at any time

2010 – Second hand smoke

Quit smoking and:

Slow down the decline in your lung function.
Your airways will be less irritated and inflamed making breathing easier.
Your inhalers will be more effective.
You will be protecting your family from your second hand smoke.
Save money from day one.

How much do you know about smoking?

Q. Which of the following statements are true or false. Select true or false for each one.

If I fail to quit smoking the first time will I ever be able to quit?

TrueFalse

Most smokers smoke out of choice?

TrueFalse

Cutting down the number of cigarettes smoked is good?

TrueFalse

It is more difficult to quit when living with someone who smokes?

TrueFalse

Reset

Reveal

Smoking and COPD

Hospital receiving unit

People who manage to quit smoking when living with COPD are likely to:

Have fewer chest infections.
Have fewer hospital admissions.
Less decline of lungs and less lung damage.
Respond better to the effect of inhalers and other medicines than smokers.

When to stop?

At first it may feel overwhelming to think about stopping. Don’t waste time feeling guilty about the past. Think about the future.

First of all you need to make the decision that you really want to stop. Only you know if you are ready to quit.
Then get all the help and support you need to give up.
You can do it! You are not alone.
There are lots of options to try. If the first time didn’t work for you try something else and get support at the same time.

The most important time to stop is when you are ready. Think about your personal reasons you have for quitting. It could be that your motivation comes from your family, to be a good role model for children or grandchildren? To be able to be more active? To have more money to spend on other things?