Stop Smoking
Smoking is a serious risk to health – in 2023/24, 13% of adults smoked cigarettes, whilst 10% of adults were using e-cigarettes or vaping devices.
It is the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature death. Smoking is not just a habit, it is an addiction. Many smokers want to quit but equally need the right circumstances for their attempts to be sustained. Specialist Stop Smoking Support is available to any service user or staff member interested in quitting smoking.
On this page is information about:
- The benefits of stopping smoking
- Stopping smoking and pregnancy
- Smoke Free Policy
- Stop smoking support
Benefits of stopping smoking
It is never too late to quit. Immediate benefits will be seen from giving up smoking.
When you stop smoking:
After 20 minutes – blood pressure and pulse return to normal
After 8 hours – nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood reduce by half and oxygen levels return to normal.
After 24 hours – carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body
After 48 hours – there is no nicotine left in the body.
After 72 hours – breathing becomes easier
After 3-9 months – coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases
After one year – risk of heart attack is half that of a smoker
After 10 years – risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker
Additional benefits include:
- Improved sense of taste and smell
- More money
- More energy
- Clearer, less irritated eyes
- Feeling more relaxed
- Wake up feeling better
- Fewer allergy and sinus problems
- Improvement in existing problems such as asthma, diabetes and emphysema
- Improved appearance
Smoking and pregnancy
Smoking makes it harder to get pregnant and increases the risk of complications throughout pregnancy and can damage a baby’s health throughout its life.
Smoking increases the risk of:
- miscarriage – 25%
- stillbirth – 40%
- death of the new born (cot death) – 40%
- low birth weight (undeveloped baby) – 300%
- premature birth – 200%
- premature rupture of the membranes – 300%
- foetal malformation (cleft lip, cleft palate) – 30%
When mums-to-be inhale cigarette smoke, babies are exposed to over 4000 chemicals, including tar and carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas) through the placenta.
If you are planning a family, pregnant or breast-feeding, stopping smoking, not just cutting down, is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your baby’s health.
It is also important that you do not inhale anyone else’s smoke as this will have the same negative health effects on you and your baby. Use this opportunity to make your home smoke free.
Please contact your midwife if you would like further details on the midwifery specialist stop smoking service.
Smoke Free Policy
The Northern Trust, in line with all Trusts in Northern Ireland, operates a Smoke Free Policy.
Smoke free means that smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is not allowed in the grounds of any Trust facility. All service users, staff and visitors to our sites should adhere to our Smoke Free Policy. By creating a smoke free environment, the Trust is helping people to take a big step forward to quit their habit and live healthier lives.
Stop smoking support
- Community Pharmacy
- GP
- Stop Smoking NI
Smokers can access free specialist support, including free Nicotine Replacement Therapy from their local pharmacy or GP.
The Trust’s more tailored specialist support may benefit some smokers. For further information please contact the Health and Wellbeing Service.
