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QuitlineOne of the best tricks to quitting is getting it right in your head and knowing exactly why you’re doing it in the first place. Find a reason that’ll motivate you through the tough times. Of course, there are many reasons to quit. You might find there are many reasons that spur you on.
Save money
As a non-smoker, you’ll save thousands of dollars a year. This makes quitting one of the best ways to save money. The average pack of 20 cigarettes costs around $25, increasing to $40 by 2020, making the savings for a pack-a-day smoker $9125 annually.
Smoking hurts your body and your wallet. So you can feel proud of your decision to quit, and treat yourself with the money you save. You might choose to buy rugby tickets, a new TV or renovate the house. It’s up to you.
Use our Cost calculator tool to learn just how much you have to gain:
Feel better
The second you quit smoking, your body starts to heal. In time you’ll find yourself fitter, healthier overall and less stressed. Being a non-smoker comes with so many benefits to how you feel inside and out. And the longer you stay quit, the more of them you gain.
Protect your loved ones
Being smoke-free is the best decision for both you, and your loved ones. You can support them more than ever as you feel stronger and happier, and by having more money. By making a commitment to quit, you’ll also be protecting your loved ones from second-hand smoke.
Second-hand smoke
While it may seem harmless, second-hand smoke contains more than 60 chemicals that are known to cause cancer. When you smoke near family and loved ones, they are exposed to many diseases and negative health effects, including:
- lung and nasal sinus cancers
- coronary heart disease
- stroke
- asthma
- pre-term birth delivery.
They are also likely to experience immediate health effects, such as eye and nose irritation, sore throat and cough.
Smoking around children
Smoking around children and babies is extremely dangerous, as their bodies are still developing. They are also far more likely to start smoking themselves. Some of the risks to babies and children include:
- sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- lung or airway infections
- Asthma flare-ups
- middle ear disease.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Every pregnant women cares for the health of her unborn baby. Quitting smoking immediately reduces your risk of pregnancy complications and harm to your baby’s health.
Smoking while pregnant increases your risk of:
- miscarriage
- premature labour
- ectopic pregnancy
- complications during birth.
Smoking can increase your baby’s risk of:
- sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- low birthweight (can lead to multiple health issues in both childhood and adult life)
- infections and other health problems
- asthma and other breathing difficulties.
Smoking while you are breastfeeding your baby is not safe. Breast milk contains essential nutrients for your baby, but if you continue to smoke while you breastfeed, toxic chemicals from tobacco are passed onto your baby through your breast milk. Your ability to breastfeed is also affected by smoking. Women who smoke tend to produce less milk and wean their babies earlier than non-smokers.
Free quit support is available for all pregnant women, women planning pregnancy within the next 6 months and partners of women who are pregnant in Queensland. Call Quitline on 13 7848 to find out more.
Look better
Smoking doesn’t just hurt your insides; it damages your looks too. It speeds up the ageing process, making you look up to 20 years older. The toxins in cigarettes stop oxygen and nutrients from reaching skin, hair and eyes. The result is premature wrinkles, grey or damaged hair, dull and tired-looking eyes, saggy skin, bad breath and gums and the list goes on.
Use our If you smoke tool to see how much smoking can age you:
Myths busted
There are some common myths about smoking. See why they don’t hold up.