Stop Smoking Support
Quitting Smoking is One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Health
At Coventry GP, we understand that stopping smoking can be challenging — but support is available and many people successfully quit with the right help.
Health Benefits
Stopping smoking has immediate and long-term health benefits, including improving:
- Heart health
- Lung function
- Circulation
- Energy levels
- Fertility
- Mental wellbeing
Smoking Risks
It also reduces the risk of:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- COPD and lung disease
No matter how long you have smoked, it is never too late to stop.
Benefits of Quitting Smoking
| After | |
| 20 minutes | Pulse rate begins to return to normal |
| 48 hours | Carbon monoxide levels reduce significantly |
| 2-12 weeks | Circulation improves |
| 1 month | After one month your skin will be clearer, brighter and more hydrated |
| 3-9 months | After three to nine months your breathing will have improved, and you will no longer have a cough or wheeze |
| 1 year | Risk of heart disease is greatly reduced to about half that of a smoker |
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Nicotine replacement therapy helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms by providing nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes.
Options include:
- Patches
- Gum
- Lozenges
- Mouth spray
- Inhalators
Different options suit different people, and some patients benefit from combining treatments.
Vapes as a Smoking Cessation Aid
For adult smokers, vaping is considered substantially less harmful than smoking cigarettes and may help some people stop smoking successfully.
However:
- Vaping is not recommended for non-smokers or children
- The aim should ideally be to eventually stop vaping as well
- Illegal or unregulated vape products should be avoided
If you would like advice regarding vaping to stop smoking, please contact the practice or local stop smoking service.
Smoking and Mental Health
Smoking can affect both physical and mental wellbeing.
Many people smoke to cope with stress or anxiety, but stopping smoking is associated with improvements in mood and mental wellbeing over time.
Additional support is available locally for people experiencing mental health difficulties alongside smoking addiction.
Stopping Smoking During Pregnancy
Stopping smoking during pregnancy is one of the most important things you can do for your own health and your baby’s health.
Specialist pregnancy stop smoking support is available locally, offering:
- Personalised support
- Nicotine replacement options where appropriate
- Ongoing guidance throughout pregnancy
Important Message
Every Quit Attempt Counts
Even small steps towards quitting can make a significant difference to your health.
Many people try several times before stopping smoking for good.
If you are thinking about quitting, support is available — and you do not need to do it alone.
If you smoke, giving up is probably the biggest single step you can take to improve your health.
Smoking is responsible for one in every five deaths in adults aged over 35 in England, and half of all long-term smokers will die prematurely due to a smoking-related disease.
Giving up smoking increases your chances of living a longer and healthier life, even if you’ve smoked for 40 years. You’ll start to notice the benefits soon after quitting.