Smoking Habit

Smoking causes numerous diseases and health problems, some fatal, among both smokers and non-smokers. For this reason, smoking is prohibited in a growing number of public places and a wide range of support services has been developed to help individuals quit smoking.

Avoiding a smoking habit

Many smokers 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.

• Smoking and giving up (young people)

Reasons to quit smoking

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

• More reasons to give up smokingOpens new window

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 eg mouth and throat cancer

It can also worsen colds, chest problems and allergies like hay fever, 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.

• Discover the full effects smoking can have on the bodyOpens new window

Boosting your sex appeal

Its 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.

• Estimate how much money you could saveOpens new window

Protecting other people's health

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

• smoking around children - 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 and smoking - smoking during pregnancy can affect both you and your babys health, and if you are exposed to secondhand smoke this can pass on harmful gases and chemicals to your baby
• smoking in public - smoking is banned by law in many public places, including: all forms of public transport; theatres; cinemas; and public buildings

• Cot death and smoking (parents section)
• How smoking affects you and your unborn childOpens new window
• More about the government's tobacco policiesOpens new window

Smokefree regulations

the smoking ban started in England on 1 July 2007

From 1 July 2007 virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England became smokefree. For more information, see 'Smoking regulations in England'.

Scotland has been smokefree since 26 March 2006, Wales since 2 April 2007 and Northern Ireland since 30 April 2007.

• Smoking regulations in England
• Clearing the Air ScotlandOpens new window
• Smoking Ban WalesOpens new window
• Space to Breathe for Northern IrelandOpens new window

Want to stop smoking?

When willpower alone is not enough, there are various treatments and plenty of support services to help you kick the habit.

• More tips on how to give up smokingOpens new window
• Visit the NHS Giving up smoking websiteOpens new window

Types of treatment

• non-carcinogenic Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products can help reduce withdrawal symptoms - they come in the form of patches, gum, inhaler, nasal spray and lozenges
• the drug bupropion is a non-nicotine tablet which also works to inhibit nicotine cravings

• Discover other treatmentsOpens new window
• Find your local doctor (England only)Opens new window

Using a support service

NHS Stop Smoking Services - smokers are four times more likely to quit by using NRT together with support from NHS Stop Smoking Services - compared with using willpower alone. Find your nearest service by:

• visiting the NHS 'Giving up smoking' website (England and Wales only)
• texting GIVE UP' and your full postcode to 88088
• telephoning the NHS Smoking Helpline (0800 169 0 169)
• asking your local GP practice, pharmacy or hospital

The Together programme is a government initiative, in England only, designed to help you quit smoking using a wide range of support materials.

The NHS Smoking Helpline (0800 169 0 169) in England and Wales offers free practical advice about giving up smoking, as well as a free information pack, while in Scotland, Smokeline (0800 84 84 84) provides free confidential advice and support

The 'Giving up smoking' website also offers people in England and Wales an Ask an expert service. The Smokeline website offers a similar private and confidential service in Scotland.