Smoking

Picture of pint of beer and a hand holding a cigarette.Smoking is bad news for anyone concerned about health, but especially for people with asthma.
If you smoke and have asthma you:

  • Are increasing your risk of an asthma attack
  • Could be permanently damaging your airways
  • Could be blocking the benefit of your asthma medicines
Also, if you smoke as a teenager you are increasing the risk of your asthma persisting. And if you smoke around children or while you are pregnant you are putting them at risk of developing asthma.

Most people know about many of the dangers of smoking but nicotine is a highly addictive drug and stopping smoking can be difficult. However, it is not impossible and many people stop smoking every day in the UK.

It is also important to know that most people will attempt to stop smoking several times before they stop for good. This is normal in breaking the cycle of addiction and the most important thing is that you don’t stop trying. If you do start smoking again, do not be too disappointed and do not see it as a failure. Use it as an opportunity to see what went wrong with your quit attempt and to make the next one more successful.
Cigarettes in an ashtray.

Some helpful tips for stopping smoking:

  • Be prepared – the better prepared you are the more likely you are to succeed
  • Understand your habit – Before you stop try keeping a dairy of when, where and why you smoke. Knowing the situations or triggers that may make you want to light up will help you to plan a different response or to avoid these triggers altogether.
  • Know your reasons for stopping – Make a list of all the reasons why you want to stop smoking. Keep this list with you to remind you if you are tempted to smoke.
  • Set a date – Set a date and stick to it. Stub out your last cigarette; throw away lighters, ashtrays and all cigarettes. Start thinking of yourself as a non-smoker and stay determined.
  • Remember there are people to help. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can support and advise you about stopping. You can also contact the NHS Stop Smoking Service.

See also



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