There are several common myths that surround smoking, here are 10 of them:
Smoking helps with stress and anxiety.
Myth: Smoking can relieve stress and anxiety.
Fact: Smoking increases anxiety and tension. The temporary feeling of relaxation from nicotine is quickly followed by withdrawal symptoms and cravings, which increase stress.
Light cigarettes are less harmful.
Myth: “Light” or “low yield” cigarettes are safer due to their lower nicotine and tar content.
Fact: While light cigarettes may have lower tar and nicotine levels, smokers often compensate by inhaling more deeply or smoking more cigarettes, leading to the same or even higher exposure to harmful chemicals.
Occasional smoking is not harmful.
Myth: Smoking just a few cigarettes a week or month is not a significant health risk.
Fact: Even occasional smoking significantly increases the risk of developing various diseases, including heart disease and cancer. There is no such thing as a safe level of smoking
The damage is done.
Myth: You might feel that because you smoke, you’ve already increased your chance of getting cancer or another smoking-related lung disease such as COPD. (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). You might feel that quitting now won’t make any difference. If you already have a smoking related disease, such as COPD you
Fact: It’s never too late to stop smoking. As soon as you quit, your body will begin to repair itself. If you already have a smoking related condition such as COPD, quittin smoking will slow down the progression of COPD and give relief to some of the symptoms.
www.nhs.uk/better-health/quitsmoking
Nicotine is the harmful part of smoking.
Myth: Nicotine causes cancer and other health problems associated with smoking.
Fact: While nicotine is a highly addictive drug, It is the many other toxic chemicals contained in tobacco smoke that cause almost all the harm from smoking. Cigarette smoke contains over 4000 toxic chemicals such as tar, arsenic (poison), cadmium (used in batteries) and formaldehyde (preserving lab specimens). It’s this cocktail of chemicals that harm, along with carbon monoxide- a poisonous gas commonly associated with faulty boilers. Nicotine itself does not cause cancer, lung disease, heart disease or stroke and has been used safely and effectively for many years in medicines to help people stop smoking
Smoking can help with weight loss.
Myth: Smoking can help you lose weight or prevent weight gain.
Fact: Smoking is not a healthy way to manage your weight and the effects of smoking on your health are far more serious than carrying extra weight. Smoking can suppress your appetite, so it may make you feel less hungry. It’s not unusual to put on a little weight when you first give up smoking but stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. However, getting the right support and tips to help manage this may help you control your weight when you stop smoking
Smoking is just a personal choice.
Myth: Smoking is a personal choice that doesn’t affect others.
Fact: Second-hand smoke is dangerous and can harm- the health of those around you, especially children and individuals with weakened immune systems.
It’s easy to quit smoking.
Myth: If people want to quit smoking, they will.
Fact: Smoking is addictive, and quitting can be challenging. Many people require support and resources to successfully quit.
It’s not the right time to quit smoking
Myth: You can’t quit during stressful times; it’s never a good time to quit.
Fact: Life happens to us all the time, and waiting for the ‘good time to quit’ means we keep putting it off. Evidence shows you are more likely to quit if you set a quit date and get specialist support from a Stop Smoking Service like ours.
NRT is not safe
Myth: Using NRT products is not safe
Fact: NRTs give you nicotine in a controlled way and can make quitting easier. It is recommended you use them for 12 weeks.
“I’ve tried quitting and failed so many times, I may as well carry on smoking!”
If you’ve tried before and it didn’t work out don’t worry. You haven’t failed!
Next time you quit, think about what really worked for you last time and what made you lapse. Look back on previous attempts as a learning exercise. Think about how you are going to keep on track this time. The preparation you do at the beginning really can make all the difference.
Thinking about quitting?
Contact your local Stop Smoking Service on 01752 437177 or email us at livewell.oyp@nhs.net.
There is no pressure and we can have a friendly chat to help you learn more about what support we can offer.