New research has revealed that the vast majority (95%) of people who quit smoking see positive changes to their health, as the government looks to ramp up stop-smoking messaging ahead of Stoptober.
While numbers continue to decline, more than five million adults still smoke in England; the habit remains the biggest cause of preventable death in the country, with 64,000 associated deaths a year.
A government report released last year put the annual cost of smoking to the NHS at £2.4bn, and wider societal costs closer to £17bn.
The new data was found after polling over 3,000 ex-smokers – it showed that, after two weeks, people:
- Had more energy (45%)
- Felt healthier (42%)
- Could breathe easier (42%)
- Saved money (34%)
- Noticed their taste returning (25%)
- Thought they had clearer skin (24%)
- Improved their ability to exercise (22%)
When you stop smoking, good things start to happen.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) September 20, 2023
Join the thousands of smokers committing to quitting from 1 October.
Find out more: https://t.co/DfXtEtUUgt#Stoptober pic.twitter.com/7LT3OyLe5l
Neil O’Brien, health minister, commented: “Stoptober will motivate thousands to quit smoking this October by providing people with the support and confidence to go smoke free.”
He continued: “We remain committed to our bold ambition to be smoke free by 2030, bolstered by a package of new measures giving vapes to a million smokers, new financial incentives for pregnant women to quit and new pack inserts to provide support to people to quit.”
Image credit: iStock
