Quit Smoking for Life
Each year, an estimated 19,000 Australians die from smoking-related illnesses,
yet one in four men and one in five women aged 14 years and over continue to smoke regularly.
Smoking is addictive, and for most people giving up is hard. But knowing the health risks of smoking
and the options available to help you quit are the first steps toward living a healthy, happy and
cigarette-free life.
Chemical warfare
It’s the nicotine in cigarettes that is addictive, but it is not the major cause of
smoking-related health problems. Each cigarette contains more than 4,000 chemicals that can have devastating effects on your health and contribute to cancer, heart disease and emphysema.
Your health
Smoking causes more illness than any other drug in Australia. But as the effects may not occur for
several years, you might not see the damage until it is too late.
Smoking can contribute to:
• Cancer – one in eight new cancers and one in five cancer deaths are smoking-related. A smoker is
at an increased risk of cancer of the lungs, lips, tongue, mouth, nose, oesophagus, pharynx, larynx,
pancreas, bladder and cervix.
• Heart disease – smoking causes more than one in three deaths from heart disease in people less
than 65 years of age.
• Stroke – stroke occurs when there is an interruption of blood flow to an area of the brain. Smoking
can increase the risk of stroke by 2-4 times.
• Type 2 diabetes – people with Type 2 diabetes already have an increased risk of heart disease.
Having diabetes and smoking further increases this risk.
• Breathing problems – smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood causing shortness of
breath, and in the long-term, emphysema, a disease of the lungs which causes severe
breathlessness and susceptibility to infection.
• Asthma – smoking narrows the airways and increases vulnerability to asthma attacks.
• Infections – smoking damages the lining of the throat and lungs and weakens the immune system, therefore increasing susceptibility to infections.
• Hearing loss – smoking may be responsible for reducing blood flow to the inner ear increasing the
risk of hearing loss.
The health of others
Passively breathing the smoke from others puts non-smokers at serious risk of disease.
Did you know....
• Compared to someone living in a smoke-free environment, a non-smoker living with a smoker has
a greater chance of heart disease and a 30% greater risk of developing lung cancer.
• Pregnant women subjected to passive smoke have a higher risk of miscarriage and low birth weight
Their babies have an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Children of parents who smoke are more at risk of suffering asthma and serious lung infections
such as croup, bronchitis and pneumonia.
As soon as you quit smoking, your health will start to improve
• Within 12 hours your body will be free of nicotine.
• After one day, your heart rate slows and your blood pressure drops.
• After three months, your ability to smell and taste improves and cilia (delicate
little hairs) in your
lungs regain the ability to repel germs.
• Within a year you will have halved your risk of heart attack.
Once you stop smoking you will most likely experience withdrawal symptoms
such as:
• Irritability and frustration.
• Cravings and increased appetite.
• Restlessness and loss of concentration.
• Altered sleep patterns.
• Drowsiness.
Some people can quit ‘cold turkey’ without any assistance. Others may find it helpful to use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) – which can lessen withdrawal symptoms and take the edge off cravings.
Nicotine replacement therapy – NRT
Although NRT contains nicotine, it is better for your health than cigarettes. These aids contain less
nicotine and none of the nasty tar and chemicals found in cigarettes. The types of NRT available include:
• Nicotine patches – an adhesive patch that provides nicotine through the skin in a controlled amount throughout the day (can be worn for 16 or 24 hours). Some people may experience a mild skin reaction.
• Nicotine gum – chewing gum containing nicotine. Can be used to deal immediately with cravings and satisfy the need to put something in your mouth.
• Nicotine lozenges – work in a similar way to nicotine gum.
• Nicotine inhaler – made of plastic and shaped like a cigarette (to satisfy those who crave the ‘act’ of smoking), the inhaler releases a vapour of nicotine when puffed, but does not pass it through to the
lungs. Side effects may include a mild sore throat or coughing.
NRT may not be suitable for some people with pre-existing medical conditions.
It may interfere with
some medication or have unwanted effects. Before considering any nicotine replacement therapy,
speak to your pharmacist or GP.
What about medication?
There is prescription-only medication available to help you quit smoking. If you have made the decision
to quit, speak to your GP to work out the right option for you.
Lifestyle recommendations
As well as NRT or medication there are ways to make quitting easier:
• Cut back on caffeinated drinks and foods that may cause caffeine-induced anxiety. The body retains
more caffeine without nicotine in the bloodstream.
• For the first few weeks avoid ‘smoking’ situations such as drinking with friends who may tempt you.
• Stay focused and strong! Cravings only last a couple of minutes – wait five minutes, breathe deeply
three times, sip water or keep busy until the urge passes.
• Quit with a buddy, or seek support from friends, family or a counsellor.
• Don’t get disheartened if you slip up: many people make a couple of attempts before giving up for
good.
© Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Limited 2006
Produced by API, 11 Grand Avenue, Camellia NSW 2142 ABN 57 000 004 320
Disclaimer
Whilst every effort has been made and all reasonable care taken to ensure the accuracy of the
information contained in this booklet, to the extent permitted by API, their agents and employees:
a. will not be held liable or responsible in any way; and
b. expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any loss (including, without limitation, any
injury, claim, suit, damage, cost and expense) arising out of or incurred in connection with any
reliance on the contents of this booklet by any person and irrespective of whether such loss
arises out of API’s negligence or otherwise.
