It's never to late to get benefits from stopping smoking. If you stopped smoking now your body would soon feel the benefits: 

• 20minutes
  Blood pressure and pulse returns to normal 
• 8 hours
  Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood are halved, oxygen levels in the blood return to normal 
• 24 hours
  Carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body and lungs start to clear out the accumulated tar
• 48 hours
  There is no nicotine left in the body, taste and smell are greatly improved. 
• 72 hours
  Breathing becomes easier, bronchial tubes begin to relax, energy levels increase
• In around 6 months:
  Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function is increased by up to 10% 
• In around 5 years
  Risk of heart attack is halved 
• In around 10 years
  Risk of lung cancer is halved 
• In around 10 years
  Risk of heart attack is at the same level as non-smokers

The sooner you stop the sooner the risks start going down.

Are you interested in giving up?
You do not have to quit on your own. At present there is a trained member of staff in each GP Practice/Pharmacy who can help you if you wish to give up smoking. Go along and discuss with them any questions you may or any anxieties you may have about stopping smoking. These specialists have helped many people to stop smoking and will be sympathetic and encouraging. At this appointment you will be asked about your current smoking habit and your reasons for wanting to give up. It is really important to know why you want to give up as this will motivate you to keep going when things get tough. You will not be expected to give up there and then - take your time - a planned attempt is much more likely to succeed.

You will be able to discuss what help you would like to use to give up smoking. Many people try to stop without help but statistics show that you are much more likely to succeed if you use some sort of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or Zyban along with good support. The specialist will help you decide what is right for you - this may or may not include NRT or Zyban.

Once you have gathered all the information you need, it's decision time!

Are you ready to give up smoking?

Do you have good reasons in postponing or are they just excuses?!

If you are ready to give up smoking you will be asked to set a quit date. Some people prefer this to be at the beginning of the working week because they smoke less at work than at weekends others prefer to give up at the weekend because they can more easily avoid stressful or difficult situations - this is about planning what is right for you.