HELP TO STOP SMOKING

Getting access to stop smoking support couldn’t be easier?

Under 18? School nurses are supported by the local stop smoking service. If you want help to stop smoking you can ask your school nurse. The service in Rotherham for young people is called is ‘4you2 quit it’’ and offers more flexible appointments at a venue most suitable to the young person.

Nicotine addiction can occur from a matter of days to a few weeks depending on the individual. Most adults want to stop but find it very difficult because nicotine takes over a lot of bodily (metabolic) processes. Young people tend to smoke far fewer cigarettes per day and thus have an advantage over older people. It is easier for them to break the nicotine addiction cycle without too much hassle (Reinforce that they use this opportunity before it becomes a problem in the future).

The results from the Scottish smoking help line showed that 15% of young people rang through for support. The majority of calls made were from young people aged 13-15yrs.

Symptoms How it feels and what causes it How to cope Cravings An intense desire to Smoke. Your brain is missing the nicotine. Cravings will stop over a few weeks.

The first 3-4 days are going to be tough so try drinking water, brushing your teeth or eating fruit or veg to help you get through it.

Coughing: dry mouth Your lungs are clearing out tar You will start off being worse but improve quickly after a few days. Your lungs are getting better. Drink something warm like soup or tea to help you.

Hunger: It feels like the hunger will never stop. This is because Nicotine suppresses your hunger. Drink loads of water, brush your teeth chew gum, eat fruit and veg and soon you will start to taste things differently.
Bowel changes You may suffer from constipation or diarrhoea This will settle down in a few days, Drink plenty of water and eat fibre (cereal, fruit and veg) to help.

Trouble sleeping: There is no nicotine in your body and this will disturb your sleep for a few days. You should get back to normal once your metabolism adjusts back to normal. Try exercise, fresh air and cut down on caffeine products (Tea, Coffee)

Dizziness: More oxygen is getting into your brain instead of carbon monoxide This will pass after a few days and you will feel much healthier as a result.
Mood swings, irritable and poor concentration. Nicotine is not readily available and you are missing the habit. Its important to decide what to do to keep you busy. Tell your friends that you’re trying to stop and get them to help you as well.

Regardless of age, stopping smoking is the best thing anyone can do to improve their health. Stopping smoking at any age increases your life expectancy, provided you stop before you develop cancer or other serious disease. But even if damage has already been done, you can still benefit from stopping.   STOP SMOKING SESSIONS Table of drop in sessions in Rotherham   Tel: 01709 302444 or E-mail: RotherhamStopSmoking@RotherhamPCT.nhs.uk