Smoking

No matter your age or circumstance, it’s never too late to stop smoking.
As soon as you stop smoking, you will start to benefit. Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health and for your loved ones.

Some of the benefits of stopping smoking

Within 72 hours, oxygen levels in the blood return to normal, sense of taste and smell are better
Within weeks, coughing and shortness of breath decreases, the risk of heart attack starts to reduce, skin looks healthier
Within months, symptoms of chronic bronchitis improve, risk of getting a stomach ulcer drops
After one year , reduced risk of heart and respiratory disease
After 5 years, the risk of death among those already with heart disease falls significantly.
Longer term, the risk of lung cancer, other cancers and stroke falls significantly. The risk of death from COPD is reduced.

Tobacco is expensive, stopping smoking also improves your finances. Use the calculator tool to find out how much money you could have by stopping smoking.

Giving up smoking in not something you have to do on your own. People are more likely to successfully quit smoking with medication and support. There is a FREE stop smoking service in your local pharmacy to help you. Contact your local pharmacy to ask about stopping smoking and to arrange an appointment.

There is an incentive scheme available where you can get up to £150 if you stop smoking. Contact tay.smokingcessationservice@nhs.scot to find out if you are eligible.

Further Information

All community pharmacies across Scotland provide free behavioural support and treatment for stopping smoking. It is normally a 12-week programme and is tailored to individual need. Contact your local Community Pharmacy for more information and to make an appointment.