Quitting smoking FAQs

What's in the cigarettes I smoke?

Your body gets more than nicotine when you smoke a cigarette.

In addition to the tobacco, cigarette manufacturers are allowed to add things from a list of 600 additives

In addition, the smoking campaign group ASH says there may be residues of pesticides, fertilisers and fumigants.

Why is stopping smoking so hard?

Many ex-smokers say stopping was the hardest thing they ever did. Most smokers are addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes. Nicotine is in all tobacco products. It can briefly make you feel calm and satisfied. At the same time, you feel more alert and focused. The more you smoke, the more nicotine you need to feel good. Soon, you don't feel "normal" without nicotine. It takes time to break free from nicotine addiction. It may take more than one attempt to stop smoking for good. So don't give up trying. You will feel good again.

Stopping isn't easy. It may take several attempts, but you learn something each time you try. It takes will power and strength to beat your addiction to nicotine. Remember that millions of people have stopped smoking for good. You can be one of them.

Why should I stop smoking cigarettes?

If you stop smoking cigarettes you will live longer and feel better. Stopping will reduce your chances of having a heart attack, stroke or cancer. The people you live with, especially children, will be healthier if you stop smoking. If you are pregnant, you will improve your chances of having a healthy baby. And you will have extra money to spend on things other than cigarettes.

What are the health consequences of smoking cigarettes?

Smoking cigarettes harms nearly every organ of your body. It causes many diseases and reduces the health of smokers in general. The list of diseases caused by smoking has been expanded to include abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute myeloid leukaemia, cataracts, cervical cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, pneumonia, dental disease and stomach cancer. These are in addition to diseases previously known to be caused by smoking, such as bladder, oesophageal, laryngeal, lung, oral and throat cancers, chronic lung diseases, coronary heart and cardiovascular diseases, as well the effects of smoking on fertility and increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

What is the first thing I need to do once I’ve decided to stop smoking?

You should set a date for when you will stop. You local NHS stop smoking service, GP or pharmacist can offer advice, support and treatments.

I’ve tried to stop smoking before and it didn’t work. What can I do?

Many people try to stop smoking at least two or three times before they are successful. Review your past attempts to stop. Think about what worked and what didn’t, and try to use your most successful strategies again.