HOW TO DITCH THE DEMON CIGGIES

It was acceptable in the 90s, but smoking is now recognised as the unhealthy, inconsiderate habit that it is. Find out how you can quit

- LUCY ROBINSON

From banning smoking in enclosed public places to creating standardised packaging for tobacco products, over the years the UK government has accelerated its goal of a smoke-free future. So much so, England and Wales aim to become smoke-free by 2030.

As part of this drive, the government announced its plan to stop new generations smoking. Under its proposed ban, people born in England on or after 1 January 2009 will never legally be allowed to buy tobacco. Given the negative health effects of smoking, the crackdown is no surprise. Every year, about 76,000 people in the UK die because of smoking, with the habit causing 70% of lung cancer cases.

“Smoking increases the risk of numerous health conditions, from lung cancer and heart disease to respiratory illnesses like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,” says Emma Rubach, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK. “On average, smokers live 10 years less than non-smokers and, according to the latest data from the NHS, 35% of all deaths from respiratory conditions can be attributed to smoking.”

But while the health implications may be known, giving up smoking is difficult. As cigarettes contain the highly addictive stimulant nicotine, smokers can experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, poor sleep and sickness when they attempt to quit.

“Quitting is incredibly hard, especially without support, as nicotine is very addictive,” says Emma. “The nicotine in tobacco gets rapidly into the brain and creates a need to continue to smoke. The falling level of nicotine then creates the urge to smoke. Controlling these urges is the key to being able to kick the habit.”