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Mental health and smoking

What you need to know

It is a common belief that smoking helps to relieve stress and anxiety, however this is not the case and stopping smoking has been shown to reduce these in the long-term.

Stopping smoking improves mental health and can be as significant in improving mood as a course of anti-depressants.

The best thing you can do for your health if you smoke is to stop smoking now, completely and forever. If you cannot, will not, or do not want to stop, then using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or switching to e-cigarettes can play a significant role in helping you to cut down and quit.

“Even if you’ve smoked for years, quitting will still reduce your risk and may improve your symptoms.”

- Karen Fanthorpe, Community and Therapies, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

Why now is the time to stop smoking

Reduce the amount of some anti-psychotic medications you need to take. Anyone who is on medications (e.g. clozapine) and decides to stop smoking should talk to their doctor as they may need to have their dosage reduced.

Increase your life expectancy. Smoking is the single largest cause of the 10 to 20-year gap in life expectancy between people with a mental health problem and those without.

“People with mental health problems are just as likely to want to stop smoking as those without. The first four weeks may be tough but to make it easier there are many products for you to choose alongside specialist behavioural support with your local stop smoking service.”

- Vicki Hall, Wellbeing Worker, North East Lincolnshire Wellbeing Service

Support from family, friends, and health professionals can make a big difference for people who are quitting smoking. Read about the experiences of others who have become smokefree and how they did it.

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