5 Reasons Why You Should Quit Smoking

12 August | Daniel Hollyman

1) The Immediate Rewards

The dangers of smoking cigarettes are often measured in the long term, but you’ll find yourself feeling far better within days of going smokefree. There is no safe amount of cigarette smoke. The chemicals reach directly into your lungs every time you inhale, carrying toxins around your bloodstream, affecting your short-term health as much as the long term. Your body will in fact begin to heal within 20 minutes of your last cigarette, with the nicotine leaving your system in around 2-3 days. The immediate benefits of quitting differ from person to person, but studies show that many feel fresher and more energetic even after a few days.

2) Protect Others Around You

When you smoke, it impacts others around you. The negative effects of secondhand smoke are well known. This is the smoke that is produced when you exhale, plus the smoke created by the lit end of a cigarette. This isn’t just unpleasant; it can be a killer. More than 80% of secondhand smoke is invisible and odourless, so no matter how careful you think you’re being, your family and friends still breathe in harmful chemicals - more than 4000 of them. By kicking the habit, you can protect yourself and those close to you.

3) Avoid Serious Health Problems

Smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK. Every year around 78,000 people in the UK die from smoking. Worldwide, the WHO estimates the death toll between 6-8 million people dying every year as a direct result of tobacco. This is a shocking statistic and should make anyone think twice about lighting up. Smoking increases your risk of developing more than 50 serious health conditions, including heart disease, strokes, heart attack, lung cancer, throat cancer, chronic pulmonary disease and many more.

4) Long Term Benefits

Stopping smoking can help add years to your life. Smokers who quit before the age of 40 reduce their chance of dying too early from smoking-related diseases by about 90%. Those who quit by age 45–54 reduce their chance of dying too early by about two-thirds. You can take control of your health by quitting and staying smokefree. Over time, you’ll greatly lower your risk of death from lung cancer and other diseases. When you quit, you’ll also protect your loved ones from dangerous secondhand smoke. You’ll be setting a good example and show your friends and family that a life without cigarettes is possible.

5) Vaping Alternatives

Making the switch from tobacco to vaping electronic cigarettes has become a hugely popular choice in recent years. Vaping is a great middle-ground option that is at least 95% safer than smoking (Public Health England, 2015) and offers a vast array of exciting e-liquid flavours, nicotine strengths and e-cigarette devices to choose from. E-liquids are made from Vegetable Glycerine and Propylene Glycol and don’t produce harmful chemicals, so no secondhand smoke and no serious health problems to look forward to.

My Vapery offers premium quality e-liquids and devices from award-winning vape brands as well as expert advice and support on how to quit. Here's a general guide to nicotine strength alternatives:

Heavy Smoker (20 + cigarettes a day) - 18-20mg Nicotine

If you’re currently smoking over 20 a day, you’ll need a high strength nicotine dosage to start things off. Take a look at our Nic Nic range for high-intensity nicotine shots available in a range of classic flavours. Alternatively, our Doozy Salts range now comes in 20mg/ml strength and uses a more effective Nicotine Salt blend that will satisfy you longer.

Medium Smoker (10-20 cigarettes a day) - 10-12mg Nicotine

For you medium smokers on 10 to 20 cigarettes a day, we’ve developed an exciting list of shortfill brand options you can choose from with a huge range of flavours. Why not try our award-winning Blueberry Jam Tart e-liquid from Jammin with a 10mg/ml Nicotine shot as a sweet alternative to your smoking habit? If sweet flavours are not to your taste, you could try something a little closer to home - Pod Salt’s Core range offers a cigarette flavoured e-liquid that comes in an 11 mg/ml Nicotine Salt format - perfect for a smooth nicotine hit with a familiar taste.

Light smokers (less than 10 cigarettes a day) - 3-6mg Nicotine

We recommend that lighter smokers on less than 10 cigarettes a day should consider using a low intensity nicotine-based e-liquid. After all, the last thing you want to do is increase any dependence you may already have. Check out our premium IVG 50/50 range with a selection of 22 delicious flavours to choose from, offering a low intensity 3mg/ml of nicotine.