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Smoking

Smoking a cigarette Smoking causes numerous diseases and health problems, some fatal, among both smokers and non-smokers. In Northern Ireland, around 2,300 people die from smoking related illnesses each year.

Avoiding a smoking habit

Many people say they started smoking before the age of 18, even though the law prevents anyone selling tobacco, cigarettes or cigarette papers to those under this age.

Avoiding the temptation to smoke at an early age is therefore important to prevent you developing a habit.

Reasons to quit smoking

People give up smoking for many reasons - from a desire to improve their health or to save money, to wanting to appeal to the opposite sex or reduce any potential harm on someone else's health.

Improving your health

In the UK one person dies from a smoking-related disease every four minutes. Smoking causes:

  • lung cancer (smoking causes over 80 per cent of all lung cancer deaths)
  • heart disease
  • bronchitis
  • strokes
  • stomach ulcers
  • leukaemia
  • gangrene
  • other cancers, for example mouth and throat cancer

It can also worsen colds, chest problems and allergies like hayfever, bronchitis and emphysema, as well as have unpleasant side-effects such as wrinkles and bad breath.

Smoking can also make you cough, sneeze or feel short of breath when you exercise.

Boosting your sex appeal

It's a myth that smoking helps you lose weight. In fact, it can cause cellulite. And kissing someone with a mouth like an ashtray isn't sexy.

Saving money

Calculate how much your smoking habit is costing you in terms of money and you might be surprised how much you could save.

Protecting other people's health

Breathing in other peoples cigarette smoke, called secondhand smoke, can also cause cancer.

  • children exposed to secondhand smoke are twice as likely to get chest illnesses like croup, pneumonia bronchitis and bronchiolitis, and more likely to get ear infections, tonsillitis, wheezing and childhood asthma
  • mothers-to-be - smoking during pregnancy can affect both you and your baby's health, and if you are exposed to secondhand smoke this can pass on harmful gases and chemicals to your baby
  • smoking is banned by law in many public places, including: all forms of public transport; theatres; cinemas; and public buildings
  • More about smoking and pregnancy - want2stop website

Smokefree regulations

The smoking ban started in Northern Ireland on 30 April 2007

From 30 April 2007 virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in Northern Ireland became smoke-free. For more information, see 'Smoke-Free Regulations 2007'.

Types of treatment

When will power alone is not enough, there are various treatments and plenty of support services to help you kick the habit. These include:

Using a support service

The Public Health Agency website 'want2stop' offers a range of information and advice for those wanting to quit smoking, including information on local cessation services. If you want assistance in giving up smoking:

Do it online