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Islanders are being urged to stub out the habit for No Smoking Day tomorrow to make sure that they don’t end up being one of the 170 people who die from smoking in Jersey every year.
This year’s event is being themed as “Proud to be a Quitter” in an aim to encourage the two-thirds of smokers who want to give up the habit to stay off the fags.
It’s estimated that 22% of Islanders are smokers – a figure that has fallen from 25% back in 2005. Of almost 1,000 Islanders who used the States’ Help2Quit service to stop smoking last year, 40% were still not smoking four weeks later.
Help2Quit will have a stand in King Street tomorrow with advisers on hand to talk to people who want to give up.
Dr Rhona Reardon, Help2Quit Lead Nurse, said: “We understand that the majority of smokers want to stop smoking, but many find the task too daunting.
“No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to inspire people still smoking in Jersey to quit for good.
“We would also like to encourage more men to use the Stop Smoking Service – Help2Quit.
“We know that men have poorer health outcomes than women and smoking is often a contributing factor. Currently fewer men are accessing the stop smoking service than women, but those men who do use the service are more successful at quitting than women.”
The Benefits of Stopping Smoking
After 20 minutes: blood pressure and pulse return to normal.
After eight hours: Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half and oxygen levels return to normal.
After 48 hours: carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved.
After 72 hours: breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
After two to 12 weeks: circulation improves.
After three to nine months: coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%.
After five years: risk of heart attack compared to a smoker is halved.
After ten years: risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.
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