Although life can be generally stressful, it is fair to say that this all-round year has been one of the most nationally stressful times most of us can remember. We all deal with stress in different ways, but a lot of smokers feel that those pesky tobacco sticks are the only thing that can calm them down.
This is not necessarily true though (medically speaking) as smoking has been proven to increase anxiety and tension and in the long term, smokers are more likely to develop depression. Also, a smoking habit has several other severe side effects. So we are advocating for people to quit, and what better time to quit than National No Smoking Day?
We want to help you utilize National No Smoking Day as much as possible, so we are going to answer your burning questions, and provide you with all the information you need to know about No Smoking Day, and help you on your way to finally quit smoking, we will cover:
- What is no smoking day?
- The facts, 3 days after quitting smoking
- Tips on quitting smoking
- Effectiveness of No Smoking Day?
- The best steps to take to quit
What Is No Smoking Day?
National No Smoking Day is an annual health awareness day, UK wide, which was originally created and intended to encourage smokers to combat their smoking addiction. The first No Smoking Day was on Ash Wednesday in 1984, and it now occurs on the second Wednesday in March. This year's No Smoking Day begins on 10th March - Ash Wednesday.
Quitting smoking has never been more important, as our health has been put at risk due to the impact of Covid-19, the virus can be detrimental to our health, especially the potential effect it can have on our breathing and the general health of our lungs. Giving up smoking is associated with a vast improvement both to your physical and mental health, and may lessen the influence Covid-19 will have on our bodies. So why not give this No Smoking Day a try, whether it is your first quit attempt or your 70th, it is never too late to embrace this No Smoking Day campaign and quit forever.
What Happens After 3 Days of No Smoking?
If you are a long term smoker you might be a little apprehensive to give up your beloved tobacco cigarettes due to the potential side effects or withdrawal symptoms after 3 days.
This being said, if you have been smoking for a number of years, around 3 days smoke free, some quitters may feel a few side effects, as your body adjusts, these may include:
- Moodiness
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Cravings
Still continuing to get the nicotine you're used to may be a good way to ease some of these side effects. Trying out our starter kits and nicotine e-liquid could be beneficial to soothe some of these symptoms.
Despite these short term side effects, there are some amazing positive results, published by the NHS, that you can get from quitting, both short term and long term:
- 20 minutes: Your pulse rate will start to return to normal
- 8 hours: Your oxygen levels are recovering and the carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by 50%.
- 48 hours: All carbon monoxide is cleared out, mucus from the lungs is flushed out and your taste and smell will improve.
- 72 hours: Breathing may feel easier meaning you have more energy, as your bronchial tube will start to relax.
- 2-12 weeks: Blood will pump through your muscles and heart easier as your circulation would have improved.
- 3-9 months: Any breathing problems will have eased, as lung function increases by 10%
- After 1 year: The risk of having a heart attack will be halved.
- 10 years +: Your risk of getting lung cancer will have halved.
Tobacco is an addictive substance, studies have shown that smokers can show signs of addiction almost immediately after their first cigarette. The addictive substance in tobacco is nicotine, however, the most dangerous chemicals in cigarettes are:
- Ammonia - used to boost the absorption rate of nicotine
- Arsenic - a pesticide
- Butane - a byproduct that helps your cigarette light and stay lit, (an ingredient in lighter fluid)
- Carbon Monoxide - gas produced from burning tobacco
The Best Way To Quit
Public Health England recently posted a report stating that Vaping is the most effective way to quit smoking in comparison to any other Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Vaping allows you to gain all of the same benefits from smoking ie, the nicotine intake, throat sensation and the habitual hand to mouth routine, however, vaping is less harmful for you than smoking and there is no evidence to suggest you can pass on second hand smoke.
Vaping is not the exact same as smoking, but trialling a variety of different starter vapes in our starter kit collection may offer you a truly incredible alternative to smoking while giving you fantastic health benefits from quitting.
If you're new to vaping and have no idea how to quit or get started, browse through some of our blogs and guides then shop for the starter vape kit that appeals to you the most. Vaping can also be a way for you to slowly wean yourself off of nicotine all together as you can choose your nicotine strength - unlike cigarettes.
Ex smokers have also said going to support groups and having a non smoking community for emotional support and encouragement has helped them quit.
Is National No Smoking Day Effective?
As humans, we tend to look for patterns and routines and having somewhere to start will surely assist in getting the ball rolling. This is why having a National No Smoking Day is so important. It gives smokers somewhere to start.
Almost 40 years after the No Smoking Day campaign first began, No Smoking Day has raised awareness on the harms of smoking and shared resources that help smokers quit for good. Over 60% of smokers were made aware of the campaign, and of those smokers, almost 20% made a quit attempt, so ultimately No Smoking Day has been incredibly helpful to smokers in making them aware of their quitting options and offering support to do so.
Commit To Quit
Quitting smoking, and choosing to put down those harmful tobacco burning cigarettes is one of the best things you could ever do for yourself and your health mentally and physically.
Cancer Research UK started a campaign and have invested in research into vaping to help smokers quit. In doing so Cancer Research UK have found two main findings:
- Nicotine is addictive but does not cause cancer
- E-cigarettes are helping people to stop smoking.
Stopping smoking allows your lungs to recover and repair, and within 20 minutes you can be on your road to recovery.
Remember, it is never too late to quit, and there are plenty of resources out there to support you. Start this No Smoking Day.
Has No Smoking Day helped you quit smoking? Share your experience with us in the comments below.