Quit smoking this StopiOctober

20 October 2022

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable ill health in Wales, and is estimated to take the lives of over 5,000 people each year. Hywel Dda UHB is supporting ASH Wales’s StopiOctober campaign in October, the month that sees thousands of people across the UK quit smoking in a collective effort to become smoke-free.

Quitting smoking this October will be a step towards a healthier life for you and perhaps even those around you. Smoking and second-hand smoke is still one of the leading causes of avoidable illness and death in Wales.

Research has shown that smokers are 5 times more likely to quit for good if they can make it to at least 28 days smoke-free. So why not join thousands of UK smokers in taking the 28 day challenge?

Cath Einon from Hywel Dda UHB’s Smoking and Wellbeing Team, said: “The health benefits of stopping smoking are immediate, as in as little as 8 hours a smoker’s carbon monoxide levels can halve. After 24 hours of quitting, carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body and lungs begin to clear mucus and smoking debris. Within just a year of quitting, the risk of a heart attack is halved compared to the risk of a current smoker. Furthermore, after ten years the risk of developing lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker.”

If you are interested in stopping smoking this October, free advice and support can be easily accessed through Hywel Dda UHB’s Smoking and Well-being service by calling 0300 303 9652, emailing smoking.clinic@wales.nhs.uk or completing this online referral form.