Stopping smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health. The chemicals in cigarettes and other smoking products kill thousands of people in the UK every year. The toxins in cigarettes affect your body while you’re smoking and after the cigarette is finished. The chemicals in cigarettes damage the structure of your blood vessels, including the arteries that carry oxygen rich blood to your heart and brain.

 

By giving up smoking, you protect your body from the harm of dangerous chemicals such as:

 

Carbon monoxide: This is a poisonous gas that you breathe in when you smoke. It means your blood cells can’t carry oxygen around your body as well as they should. Having high levels of carbon monoxide in your blood greatly increases your risk of heart and circulatory diseases.

 

Tar: This is also in cigarette smoke and can cause cancer. When you breathe it in, 70% of the tar stays in your lungs and damages them. Cigarettes labelled ‘light’, ‘mild’ or ‘low tar’ are misleading. All cigarettes are bad for your health.

 

Nicotine: This is the addictive chemical found in cigarettes. It increases your heart rate and blood pressure. Untreated high blood pressure permanently damages your arteries and your heart

 

When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you will be able to breathe easier. There are lots of other benefits too – and they start almost immediately.