The NHS wants to help you kick your smoking habit on National No Smoking Day 2018.
The annual health awareness day, celebrated in the United Kingdom, provides smokers with the resources they need to quit once and for all. An accompanying social media campaign, as well as a handy support line to answer any and call questions you may have, can provide additional support.
National No Smoking day aims to provide smokers with the resources needed to quit for good
So what do you need to know about National No Smoking Day 2018?
What is National No Smoking Day?
National No Smoking Day began on Ash Wednesday, March 7, 1984. It has since been moved to the second Wednesday in March and occurs annually in the United Kingdom.
The campaign’s main goal is to help smokers quit by providing resources and, in more recent years, a sense of community through social media.
Each year National No Smoking Day has a theme. In 2010 is was ‘Break Free’, encouraging longtime smokers to cut the proverbial chains they were bound in through cigarette addiction. The theme for 2018 is ‘#TellUsYourWay’, which encourages smokers to share how they curbed their addiction.
How to quit smoking
There are a number of ways to quit smoking. The British Heart Foundation recommends starting by picking a quit date. That date should be one on which you’re certain stress will be minimal.
After you’ve decided on a date, you should write down all the reasons you want to quit. This will come in handy when the cravings kick in and you’re ready to light up a cigarette. Instead, read through your reasoning for giving up the dangerous habit.
Third, the British Heart Foundation recommends quitting with a friend. Support is an important part of giving up cigarettes. Partners can keep one another accountable throughout the trying process.
Those hoping to quit smoking are encouraged to rid their lives of reminders of cigarette smoking. This means tossing ashtrays, lighters, matches and old packs of cigarettes in the bin.
You may also want to lean on available services. The NHS Stop Smoking Service has trained specialists available to help get you through the hardest bits of your journey.
| AREA OF ENGLAND | SETTING A QUIT DATE | SUCCESSFUL QUITTERS | % OF SUCCESS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumbria | 1,589 | 367 | 23.08 |
| Swindon | 2,255 | 630 | 27.96 |
| Trafford | 137 | 38 | 28.13 |
| Herefordshire | 575 | 163 | 28.35 |
| Birmingham | 1,153 | 329 | 28.51 |
| South Gloucestershire | 2,747 | 814 | 29.64 |
| Bournemouth | 2,190 | 696 | 31.80 |
| Bristol, city of | 2,035 | 652 | 32.06 |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 3,193 | 1,086 | 34.00 |
| Lambeth | 2,996 | 1,046 | 34.90 |
Another way to help during the quitting process is to look to nicotine replacements; e-cigarettes, nicotine gums and patches are all options.
14 March 2018 is No Smoking Day. If you smoke but would like to quit, there will be an information stand in the foyer of Dundee House between 12.30pm and 2.30pm where you can receive advice and support from the Community Health Team #TellUsYourWay pic.twitter.com/aOQMaT1UuS
— Dundee City Council (@DundeeCouncil) March 7, 2018
Staying active may also help when you’re trying to quit smoking. According to the British Heart Foundation, exercise has been proven to curb urges to light up a cigarette. This may also come in handy in triggering situations.
If you’re a person who smokes after a heavy meal, consider replacing that post-supper smoke with a short walk.
It’s important that when stopping smoking, you don’t give into temptation. One cigarette often leads to more. Say no.
Lastly, people quitting cigarettes are encouraged to celebrate their milestones along the way. Put away the money you’d normally spend on cigarettes, then treat yourself to something special. You’ll have earned it.
Dangers of cigarette smoking
Smoking has been proven to be hazardous to smokers health. Quitting improves heart health, decreasing the likelihood of contracting heart disease later in life. It also reduces the risk of stroke, cancer and lung disease, among other things.
Cigarette smoke can damage the lining of your arteries, causing a build up of fatty material. This can lead to angina or stroke, according to the British Heart Foundation.
Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke limits the amount of oxygen reaching your blood stream. This forces your heart to kick into overdrive, pumping harder than a non-smokers would, to provide your body with the oxygen it needs.
The nicotine in cigarettes also puts strain on your heart, forcing it to work harder. This increases blood pressure, which can be dangerous.
Smokers are also more susceptible to blood clots and cardiovascular diseases.
National No Smoking Day statistics
According to a 2009 study by GfK NOP, one in every 10 smokers quit smoking on National No Smoking Day. In 2011, they found that a total of 225,000 smokers in London and the South East had quit smoking on No Smoking Day.
When is National No Smoking Day 2018?
National No Smoking Day 2018 will be observed on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.