At Boots we know how difficult it is to quit, so we have put together some specialist advice to help along the way. Here are some of our frequently asked questions to get you started started.
- Does smoking reduce stress? *
- If I carry on smoking how will it harm me in the future?
- Why should I stop smoking now?
- I like the idea of stopping smoking to become healthier. But can I really reverse all the damage I’ve done to my body by smoking?
- I'm a social smoker but I’m keen to stop. What’s the best way to go about this?
- I’m quitting smoking but I’d like to know what kind of withdrawal symptoms to expect.
- What is Nicotine Replacement Therapy?
- Can I use NRT when I’m pregnant and breastfeeding? *
- I'm under 18 can I use NRT? *
- I have diabetes, can I use NRT? *
- I've stopped smoking but it’s making me feel dizzy sometimes. Why?
- What support groups are there to help me give up smoking?
- I really want to stop smoking but I don't know how to start
- My partner smokes, and I’d love them to stop. How can I help?
*This specialist advice has been developed in conjunction with Quit, www.quit.org.uk
- Does smoking reduce stress? *
- No. When you smoke you may feel a temporary relief but this soon wears off and this withdrawal makes you feel tense.
- If I carry on smoking how will it harm me in the future?
- Smoking can seriously damage your health. It is the cause of nine out of ten lung cancers and studies show that 40% of deaths due to heart disease before the age of 65 are smoking related.
- Why should I stop smoking now?
-
With the smoking ban coming into coming into force in England from 1st July 2007, there has never been a better time to
quit. If you really want to stop it may be because
of one or many of the following reasons:
- I want to improve my health
- I don't want my children to become smokers
- It's not fair to people I work, live and go out with
- I could do with the money
- It smells, makes the house dirty and clings to hair and clothes
- I'm afraid of getting cancer
- It's anti-social
- I don't like being addicted
- I like the idea of stopping smoking to become healthier. But can I really reverse all the damage I’ve done to my body by smoking?
- The good news is that it’s never too late to stop smoking. In fact, it only takes up to eight hours for your body to be free of nicotine. If you continue to quit, in time your body will repair some of the damage done by tobacco and the risk of getting smoking related diseases will go down. Check out our your body benefits engine to see how healthier you will become once you have stopped.
-
It might be wise, at least in the first few weeks,
to avoid situations where you’ll be tempted to light
up. So, if you go out with friends who smoke, spend
more time with non-smokers. Or, if you enjoy a
cigarette in certain situations then why not try
something new until you build up your stamina?
If all else fails, remember that you’re quitting for yourself, so don’t bow to pressure from people who say you’re a killjoy for not joining them in a cigarette. - I’m quitting smoking but I’d like to know what kind of withdrawal symptoms to expect.
- Symptoms include irritability, restlessness, depression, difficulty concentrating, sleep disruption, increased appetite and craving for tobacco. The good news is that it means your body is recovering and all the symptoms are temporary. Any mood changes usually go back to normal after 3 or 4 weeks. None of the symptoms are life threatening, unlike smoking.
- What is Nicotine Replacement Therapy?
-
If you smoke a packet of cigarettes a day, your
body has come to expect a nicotine 'fix' every 20
minutes or so. This addiction, however, can be
overcome. If you can get through the first few weeks
your chances of success are very high - that's
where Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can
help. It is easier to cope with the behavioural and
social aspects of not smoking if nicotine withdrawal
symptoms are controlled.
There are five main types of Nicotine Replacement Therapies - patch, gum, microtab, inhalator and lozenge. All five are effective but it is important to use the therapy which most suits your smoking pattern. Speak to your local Boots Pharmacy Team to decide which, if any, is most appropriate. - Can I use NRT when I’m pregnant and breastfeeding? *
-
Pregnant smokers ideally should try to quit without
NRT, but if you can’t manage this, you can use NRT.
The risks to your unborn baby are far less than
continuing to smoke. If you have sickness or nausea
and so prefer using a patch avoid using it through
the night.
If you are breastfeeding it is better if you use gums, lozenges or inhalers rather than patches and avoid their use just before breastfeeding. If you have a partner who also smokes try to quit together. - I’m under 18 can I use NRT? *
- For 12-17 year old smokers NRT may be helpful. You can use NRT for up to 12 weeks but talk to a healthcare professional before using NRT for any longer.
- I have diabetes, can I use NRT? *
- Nicotine from smoking and from NRT affects your blood sugar levels, so when you stop smoking these can vary more than normal. So monitor your sugar more regularly than usual, as you may need to make changes to your diet, your insulin or the amount of medication you take.
- I’ve stopped smoking but it’s making me feel dizzy sometimes. Why?
- This is likely to be because as your body rids itself of toxins caused by smoking your circulation improves and your brain will be getting more oxygen. Your local Boots Pharmacy Team will be more than happy to give advice on tackling withdrawal symptoms
- What support groups are there to help me give up smoking?
-
Larger Boots pharmacies offer a full support
service, called 'Pro-Change' for people who wish to
give up smoking. You may find it helpful to call in
and speak to the Pro-Change advisor in your
nearest large Boots store.
There may also be local support groups for people wishing to give up cigarettes in your area. Your local Boots Pharmacy Team will be able to advise you.
If you feel like you would benefit from telephone counseling from a leading UK stop smoking charity in addition to personal in-store advice from your Boots Pharmacy Team, call Quit on: 0800 002200 - I really want to stop smoking but I don't know how to start
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The first stage - preparing to stop - can take
anything from days to years, and this stage is the
most important.
Once you have prepared yourself to stop, you can move onto the next stages, which are stopping and staying stopped. Once you have decided to stop, take pride in your decision. It demands willpower and determination to break the nicotine habit. It may not be easy. But success is within your grasp. Over 1,000 people stop smoking every day in the UK. Be proud that you have taken the decision to be one of them.
Choose a day when you feel it will be easier to be busy or relaxed.
Get support from family and friends. Smoking is strongly linked to certain times and situations- the first smoke of the day, drinking tea or coffee or when the phone rings. To break the link between the situation and smoking, change your habits. For example, try a glass of water of orange juice instead of coffee for a while. Anticipate problems. Which situations will be difficult? Don't wait for them to happen. Plan now how you will cope.
Whatever your reason for stopping, one thing is certain - it's a good decision and one that could lengthen your life. - My partner smokes, and I’d love them to stop. How can I help?
-
Although it’s really up to them to decide whether
or not he/she is ready to quit, there are lots of
things you can do to encourage them.
You could start by explaining the health benefits of giving up. For example, telling them that within 20 minutes of putting out their last cigarette, their body will begin to repair some of the damage done by smoking.
