Thinking about stopping smoking? Here’s what really changes when you quit for good and how support can help.
1. What matters and the benefits of quitting:
Quitting smoking can seriously boost your bank balance, giving you more money to spend on the things that matter. The average ten-a-day smoker spends around £40 a week on tobacco. That’s over £2,000 a year!
When you quit smoking, the things that matter improve:
More money for the things you care about
Better breathing and more energy
Less stress about your health
More time with family and friends
Feeling in control again
Use this handy savings calculator to find out how much you could save after quitting.
2. Better Health:
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. And the benefits start sooner than you might think!
What happens when you quit:
After one day - carbon monoxide levels drop
After a few days - breathing improves
After a few weeks - energy increases
After a few months - lung function improves
"I just wanted to say how thankful I am for all your help and the lovely words you’ve shared with me. It really lifted me up and made a big difference while I was quitting smoking” Kath, Salford
"I really appreciate all your support. You’ve been amazing in helping me try to quit smoking. thank you again!” I.A. Salford
"The Stop Smoking Service was super helpful and I’ve felt really supported by your team!” D.B. Salford
When it comes to smoking, the figures are stark: one in two smokers will die early. Quitting smoking will reduce your risk of:
cancer
stroke
heart attack
lung disease
emphysema
COPD
If you have an existing health condition that is caused by or made worse by smoking, then the best thing you can do for your health is to quit smoking.
Even if you’ve tried stopping smoking before…
Many people try several times before quitting. With the right support, your chances are much higher.
Why stop smoking before going into the hospital?
Did you know smoking changes your blood composition, meaning it takes longer for wounds to heal and increases the risk of infection? That’s why it’s highly recommended that you stop smoking before having an operation.
Learn more about why it’s important to quit smoking before an operation to reduce your chances of complications and speed up recovery after surgery.
3. Mental Wellbeing:
Did you know smoking cigarettes interferes with certain chemicals in the brain. Quitting is scientifically proven to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.
Can smoking really help you relax?
Many people think smoking helps them to relax. But in fact, smoking increases the stress, tension, and anxiety that you feel.
Scientific studies show that people’s stress levels lower after they stop smoking. And it can take just six weeks for quitting smoking to improve your mood and mental health.
Many studies show the mental health benefits of quitting smoking include:
Anxiety, depression and stress levels are lower
Quality of life and positive mood improve
The dosage of some medicines used to treat mental health problems can be reduced
Top tips for dealing with stress
get the right help and support to take the stress out of quitting
know your triggers and how to avoid them
stay positive and take it one step at a time
write down your reasons to remind yourself why you’re quitting
4. Protecting loved ones:
When you quit smoking, not only do you protect your loved ones from second-hand smoke, but you also live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. And that means the world to people who love you.
Second-hand smoke
Second-hand smoke comes from the tip of a lit cigarette and the smoke that the smoker breathes out. Breathing in second-hand smoke, also known as passive smoking, can increase your risk of getting the same diseases as smokers, including lung cancer and heart disease.
Protect your children
Passive smoking is especially harmful for children as they have less well-developed airways, lungs and immune systems. Children who live in a household with at least one smoker are more likely to develop:
Asthma
Chest infections like pneumonia and bronchitis
Meningitis
Eear infections
Coughs and colds
Babies are also at increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Smoking whilst pregnant, or smoking around a pregnant woman, can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and birth.
Protect your pets
Pets are also affected by second-hand smoke – cats, dogs and birds that live in a home with someone who smokes are more likely to develop cancer, eye infections, allergies and breathing issues. This is because the harmful toxins and carcinogens in tobacco smoke get trapped in their nose, fur, feathers, and lungs.
Opening windows doesn’t help
Second-hand smoke stays in the air for several hours after somebody smokes, although you might not see it or smell it. No matter how careful you think you’re being, people around you will still breathe in the harmful toxins.
Opening windows and doors, or smoking in another room, will not protect the other people in your house. The only way to fully protect your loved ones from second-hand smoke is by not smoking indoors or near them.
Did you know?
Most people start smoking and become addicted when they are children. Those whose parents or siblings smoke are around three times more likely to smoke than children living in non-smoking households.
Children who start smoking at the youngest ages are more likely to smoke heavily and find it harder to give up. These smokers are at the greatest risk of developing smoking related diseases.
Ready to stop smoking?
You don’t have to do it on your own. Free local support is here when you're ready.
Choose the option that works for you:
Call Health Improvement Connect on 0800 952 1000, option 2
Sign up using the online form, and one of our smoking cessation team members will contact you.
If you need an interpreter, let us know and we will arrange one for you.
Ready to quit? Get free support
This page was last updated on 26 June 2026