Stop smoking

You know it’s bad for you, you know you should give up, but here’s a reminder of why: you’ll be healthier, you'll have more money, your breath and clothes won’t smell, you’ll look a lot better and you‘ll probably live longer.

Within a year of stopping smoking, your risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a continuing smoker, and within 10 years the risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.

The quitting timeline.

Believe it or not, after 15 years of not smoking, your risk of having a heart attack is the same as if you’d never smoked at all.

After 20 minutes your blood pressure and pulse return to normal.
After eight hours blood levels of nicotine and carbon monoxide are halved and your oxygen levels return to normal.
After 24 hours carbon monoxide is eliminated from your body and your lungs start to clear.
After two days your body is nicotine free and your sense of taste and smell improve.
After three days you can breathe more easily, the bronchial tubes relax and your energy levels increase.
After two to 12 weeks your circulation improves.
After three to nine months lung function increases by up to 10%. Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve.
After one year your heart attack risk is now half that of someone who smokes.
After 10 years your lung cancer risk is now half that of a smoker.

Getting Help and Advice


		NHS Choices has a wealth of information about smoking, such as advice and tips on how to give up, calculators, time lines and smoking related illnesses To visit the stop smoking section of NHS choices click here.

		For free and friendly one-to-one or group-based advice and support call Island Quitters: Tel. 01983 814280 Mobile: 07919 598549 Email: [email protected] Visit us at 46 Sea Street, Newport

Local support

For free and friendly one-to-one or group-based advice and support call Island Quitters:

Tel. 01983 814280
Mobile: 07919 598549
Email: [email protected]

Visit us at 46 Sea Street, Newport

Or come along to one of our sessions around the Island:

Sandown: every Monday at the Broadway Centre 5 pm – 6 pm
Newport: every Wednesday at Laidlaw Hospital, St. Mary’s 6 pm – 7 pm or every Thursday at Medina Leisure Centre 10.30 am – 11.30 am
Cowes: every Thursday at Cowes Sports Clubhouse, Westwood Park, off Park Road 4 pm – 5 pm
Ryde: every Tuesday at George Street Centre 6 pm – 7 pm or every Friday at Sure Start Children’s Centre 9 am – 12 noon

Updated 16/3/09

Page last updated on: 23/03/2009