This Wednesday, 11 March, marks No Smoking Day, a national moment that encourages smokers to take the first step towards quitting.
For many people, quitting smoking is something they know they should do, but finding the right time can be difficult. No Smoking Day is a chance to pause, reflect and consider making a change that could have a life-changing impact on your health, your finances and even the safety of your home.
As Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection, I see the impact smoking has on our communities in more ways than one. While most people are aware of the health risks, fewer realise that smoking is also one of the leading causes of fatal house fires in the UK.
Cigarettes are designed to stay lit. That means if one is dropped or left unattended, it can easily ignite bedding, furniture or other flammable materials. Fires started by smoking materials are more likely to result in serious injury or death than many other types of house fire.
That’s why this year Feel Good Suffolk and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service are working together to highlight both the health risks of smoking and the fire dangers it can pose in the home.
Of course, the safest option is to quit altogether. But we also want people to be aware of how to reduce risks while they are still smoking.
Quitting smoking is one of the most powerful things you can do to improve your health. It reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other serious conditions. Many people also notice improvements in their breathing, energy levels and overall wellbeing within weeks of stopping. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone.
Across Suffolk, Feel Good Suffolk offers free, personalised support to help people stop smoking. Research shows you are up to three times more likely to quit successfully with expert support than by trying to go it alone.
The service provides access to trained advisors who understand how challenging quitting can be and offer practical help throughout the process. They can also provide free stop smoking aids for up to 12 weeks, including nicotine replacement therapies and vape starter kits.
Vic from Stowmarket successfully quit smoking with support from Feel Good Suffolk’s group sessions.
She says the benefits started almost immediately. “Within just a week of stopping smoking, I already found that I had more energy, and my legs didn’t feel as heavy,” she says. “Fast forward a few more weeks and I am less breathless, I have had no chest infections, I am no longer needing to use my steroid sinus inhaler, and I have not been back on antibiotics, it is such a huge improvement.”
Vic credits the encouragement and support from others in the group for helping her stay motivated and reach her goal.
Stories like this show that quitting smoking is possible, even if you’ve tried before. Many people attempt to stop several times before they succeed, and that’s completely normal. What matters is having the right support and trying again. No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to take that first step.
Anita from Bury St Edmunds also quit smoking with the support of a Feel Good Suffolk advisor and says stopping has transformed her life.
After smoking for more than 40 years, she has now been smoke-free for three years. She said; “My house doesn’t smell of smoke anymore, I feel cleaner, my sense of smell has come back and I don’t have to constantly go outside to smoke or worry about not being able to get out of somewhere.”
Reflecting on her journey, Anita says she never imagined she would lose the desire to smoke after starting at just 12 years old, but now says: “I have not smoked for 36 months and I feel fantastic.”
Alongside this support, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is sharing practical advice on smoking safely to reduce the risk of fires in the home.
Simple steps such as making sure cigarettes are properly extinguished, avoiding smoking when tired, and never smoking in bed can make a significant difference. Fire safety advice for smokers is available on the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service website.
Ultimately though, quitting smoking removes that risk altogether.
If you smoke and live in Suffolk, I encourage you to consider making this No Smoking Day the moment you start your journey to stopping.
You can find out more and refer yourself online at:
www.feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk/stop-smoking
