My Body

Reminding yourself of the damage your body experiences when you smoke will give you extra motivation to quit and stay smokefree.

Your Body While Smoking

Your body is under increased risk of developing serious disease and health problems while you are smoking. All the major organs of your body are put under increased pressure by your habit and smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop a wide range of short and long term health problems.

Find out how you can stop putting your body at risk by seeing what local NHS services are available to help you when you go smokefree.

Or you can sign up with the Together Programme, which gives you free support in your home.

You can also visit the NHS Choices website for more information about smoking related illnesses.

Reproduction & FertilitySmoking can increase the risk of impotence, damage sperm, reduce your sperm count and cause testicular cancer.Smoking can also reduce female fertility and increase the risk of miscarriage, a low birth weight baby and cot death, as well as increasing the risk of cervical cancer.StomachSmokers have an increased chance of getting stomach cancer or ulcers.Smokers also have an increased risk of developing cancers of the kidney, pancreas and bladder.HeartSmokers are more than twice as likely as non-smokers to die of heart disease.Smokers are at increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and aneurysms.Smokers are also more likely to suffer low fitness levels, ulcers and cold skin, hands and feet.CirculationSmoking coats your veins and arteries with fatty deposits and causes them to narrow, and harden.Smokers are at increased risk of gangrene, which leads to about 2000 amputations per year.Mouth & ThroatSmokers have an increased risk of lip, tongue, throat, voice box and oesophagus (gullet) cancer.Smoking causes bad breath and stained teeth. It can also cause gum disease and damage your sense of taste. SkinSmoking reduces the oxygen that reaches your skin, causing ageing and grey, dull skin.The toxins in smoke also cause cellulite.BonesSmoking can cause weak and brittle bones.Women who smoke are more likely to suffer osteoporosis than non-smokers.

What To Expect When You GO Smokefree

The first few days after your quit date can be challenging. Nicotine withdrawal can make you feel very irritable and frustrated but this intense period of withdrawal only lasts 48 hours and you will soon notice an improvement. Nicotine patches and gum can really help you to cope with the early stage symptoms of withdrawal.

Order materials such as the support guide and DVD that will help to keep you motivated.

Or download videos and guides that will give you support as you go smokefree.

You can also visit the NHS choices website for information about managing stress.

20 minutesBlood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
… and you have saved 5.9p so far, but keep going …8 hoursNicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal. … £1.42 not much, but it's paid for the first NRT patch …24 hoursCarbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. … and now you have saved £4.20 …48 hoursThere is no nicotine in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved. … £8.40 keep going the best is yet to come …72 hoursBreathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase. … and you have saved £12.60 in three days …2-12 weeksYour circulation improves. … and you have saved £117.00 in four days …3-9 monthsAmend to "Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%."5 yearsRisk of heart attack falls about half that OD a smoker. … after 5 years you could use a holiday, saving £7665.00 should cover it? …10 yearsRisk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked. … after 10 years, even if they never went up in price, that's a saving of over £15,000 …