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Your Diabetes

Stopping Smoking

Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, especially if you have diabetes.

'Every cigarette costs 11 minutes of your life' (British Medical Journal, 2000)

The harmful effects of smoking include:

  • Cancer
  • Chest diseases eg. Bronchitis and emphysema
  • Lung cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Strokes
  • Peripheral vascular disease and foot ulcers
  • Kidney failure
  • Eye disease (retinopathy)
  • Dull skin and wrinkles-smoking accelerates the ageing process
  • Bad breath, yellow fingers and dental disease. 

If you have smoked since being a teenager or young adult: 

  • If you stop smoking before the age of about 35, your life expectancy is only slightly less than it is for people who have never smoked.
  • If you stop smoking before the age of 50, you decrease the risk of dying from smoking related diseases by 50%

Timeline of health benefits after stopping smoking

 

After... Health benefit
72 hours Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
1 month Skin appearance improves, owing to improved skin perfusion.
3-9 months Cough, wheezing, and breathing problems improve and lung function increases by up to 10%.
1 year Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
10 years Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker.
15 years Risk of heart attack falls to the same level that it would be for someone who has never smoked.

 

You can get support and medication to help you stop smoking from:The North Yorkshire NHS Stop Smoking Service Call: 0800 2465215 or please click on the link

Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service (One to one support) Many pharmacies in York offer this service-enquire at your local pharmacy to make an appointment. 

    • Your GP practice- most GP practices in York offer this service.