Time to improve your health by stubbing out smoking
Three out of four people in North Lincolnshire do not smoke – and now health bosses are urging the others to come in out of the cold this Christmas.
Smokers can still to be spotted at this time of year shivering in doorways or draughty shelters while their family, friends or workmates enjoy the warmth, light and festive fun inside pubs, clubs or restaurants.
This year, 900 people in North Lincolnshire have already quit with the help of specialist stop smoking services.
And this does not include the many others who will have given up with other forms of support or gone it alone.
The army of non-smokers and ex-smokers is growing all the time in North Lincolnshire and there is lots of help for people who want to join them.
Four out of five pregnant women do not smoke and smoking is a big no-no for most young people, with 94 per cent of children in a recent survey labelling smoking as either "stupid" or "dangerous".
Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of children with a smoking parent worry about their mum or dad dying because they smoke and a further 58 per cent worry about them developing heart disease.
The figures back up the opinions of this new smoke-free generation. Recent statistics show that an estimated 320 deaths a year in North Lincolnshire are smoking related.
"Giving up smoking is the single most important thing people can do to improve their health," says Frances Cunning, North Lincolnshire's director of public health.
There is hardly any part of your body that is not damaged by smoking.
Cigarettes poison your body and cause more than 80 per cent of deaths from lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema (chronic breathing difficulty), as well as a quarter of deaths from heart disease.
If you stop smoking now, you will begin to cut your risk of these and many other diseases straight away.
After 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse return to normal.
After 24 hours, 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 and your energy increases.
After two to 12 weeks, your circulation improves.
After three to nine months, coughs, wheezing and breathing improves.
After just one year your heart attack risk is half that of a smoker.
After 10 years, your lung cancer risk is half that of a smoker.
Steve Mercer, health improvement and partnerships manager at North Lincolnshire Council, said: "We are working closely with the NHS to ensure there is always plenty of support available for people who want to stop smoking and we will do everything we can to help.
"There isn't a better time to stop smoking with the cold weather upon us, rather than going outside to smoke you could be inside in the warmth enjoying the festive season with your friends and family.
"Every day more and more people choose to give up smoking for good. People quit smoking for a number of reasons, often because of the cost, especially around Christmas time as many people will need the extra money to buy presents. There are also many other reasons why people quit smoking."
For more information and advice, visit www.northlincs.gov.uk
13 Comments
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by tricky26
Saturday, December 31 2011, 2:36PM
“PStoff, surely Roy Castle evens that argument out doesn't he?”
by PStoff
Saturday, December 31 2011, 7:41AM
“"I see nobodys mentioning sir jimmy ,how many cigars did he smoke and how old was he when he died ?"
How much longer would he have lived if he hadn't ???”
by rea55
Friday, December 30 2011, 7:12PM
“They go on about smoking, but drinking causes more problems then cigs. How many people with bad livers, how much damage caused by drunks, how many people hurt in fights due to drink ?
I'm not saying smoking is good for you, but how many people make idiots of themselves from smoking or go on a rampage. Might as well ban drinking too !”
by tricky26
Friday, December 30 2011, 4:30PM
“eeyore67 i can't dispute the fact that some pubs have closed since the smoking ban came in but there were closures before it came in so not all closures are actually down to the smoking ban. People are choosing to drink cheap supermarket beer at home rather than pay the extortinate prices at the pubs as well as the smoking ban, which isn't actually a BAN just a restriction as all pubs provide a heated, covered smoking area outside therefore it is not actually a ban. Smokers just choose to blame the "ban" because they feel it is an infingement on their rights and think this is a valid argument towards trying to get the ban lifted which i am fairly certain will never happen.”
by Eeyore67
Thursday, December 29 2011, 11:38PM
“Tricky 26....the pubs will be smoke free , that is if you can still find one that is open.....as again since the smoking ban came into force just how many pubs/clubs have closed down ???”
by tricky26
Thursday, December 29 2011, 10:51PM
“eshiftcrew you are a classic smoker, i would love to go out for a night out and a drink with you but looks like we wouldn't converse much cos you would be outside in the cold freezing rain/wind puffing on that healthy cigarette while i was inside drinking soda water because i'm also tee total, but i've found a great way of having a good night out by just having a laugh without having to get drunk or breathe other peoples smoke in to my lungs. Healthy lungs and liver. It is possible to have a laugh without poisening yourself you know, you should try it. Or maybe i have hit some home truths?
P.S. also the pub will be clear of smoke cos you and your fellow smokers will be outside HA HA HA!. Happy new year”
by eshiftcrew
Thursday, December 29 2011, 1:03PM
“tricky26 you sound like a bundle of fun to be with we must go out sometime together NOT ,i see nobodys mentioning sir jimmy ,how many cigars did he smoke and how old was he when he died ? everyone else jumps on the roy castle bandwagon”
by tricky26
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 8:20PM
“Any smoker knows the risks they run ranging from breathing difficulties, lung disease, lung cancer, high blood pressure, emphysema, coughs, wheezing, bronchitis and the fact that your breath is disgusting and your clothes stink need i say more. If they choose to ignore the health warnings and be proud of the fact that i can smoke so i will then crack on with it i say. I'm just pleased that i now don't have to put up with it in public places. Keep up the good work smokers and help keep my tax bill down. Thank you so much.”
by Eeyore67
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 12:28PM
“So we all stop smoking, drinking and driving where is the goverment going to get the tax revenue from ??? (O i know higher taxes)”
by eshiftcrew
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 10:26PM
“i will stop smoking when fat people stop eating,drunks stop drinking,druggies stop using drugs,i pay my n.i contributions so stick your facts where they dont belong,your born to die and its up to mnake the most of life whilst you can”