Leaflet 7

Derived From

Harrow Primary Care Trust Guide

 

Facts and Figures

- Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness and early death in the UK;

- A survey has shown that 70% of adults who smoke say that they want to quit;

- Increased risk of stroke - as there is a reduced supply of oxygen to the brain;

- Increased risk of gum disease - which could result in tooth loss and bad breath;

- Increased risk of mouth cancer - including the lips, tongue and throat;

-  25-a-day smokers are 25 times more likely to die from lung cancer than non-smokers;

- 83% of lung cancer deaths in England are smoking related;

- 83% of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema in England are smoking related;

- Smokers are more than twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease than non-smokers;

-  44% of deaths from heart disease among people under 65 are caused by smoking;

-  Smokers are 2-4 times more likely to suffer from sudden cardiac arrest than non-smokers;

- One in 10 deaths by a stroke is associated with smoking;

- Smoking increases the risk of impotence by around 50% for men in their 30s and 40s;

- Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight babies and other complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the early years of the child's life.

 

Benefits seen almost as soon as smokers quit

- They are able to breath more easily;

- The risk of serious diseases begins to fall;

- Blood vessels begin to reopen and circulation improves;

- Energy levels start to rise as carbon monoxide leaves the body;

- Their skin warms up and begins to glow again;

- There is an increased chance of conceiving and having a healthy baby and

   pregnancy;

- They are no longer putting those around them at risk of passive smoking;

- Cleaner and fresher house and clothes;

- They will be able to taste food more.

 

 

 

After stopping:

  * 20 Minutes - Reduced blood pressure and heart rate;

  * 8 Hours - Increased oxygen levels;

  * They have healthier children who are less likely to smoke;

  * 24 Hours - Carbon monoxide removed from the body;

  * 48 Hours - Nicotine removed from the body;

  *  5 Years - Reduced risk of a heart attack;

  * 10 Years - Lung cancer risk is half that of a smoker.

 

[AND straight away more pennies in your pocket - 20 per day smokers would save

 £130 per month!!]