If you need motivation other than possibly saving over £270 a month (20/day @£9) then read on about the benefits of stopping.

Better sex– Stopping smoking improves the body’s blood flow, so improves sensitivity. Men who stop smoking may get better erections. Women may find that their orgasms improve and they become aroused more easily. It’s also been found that non-smokers are three times more appealing to prospective partners than smokers (one of the advantages, perhaps, of smelling fresh).

Better skin– Stopping smoking has been found to slow facial ageing and delay the appearance of wrinkles. The skin of a non-smoker gets more nutrients, including oxygen, and can reverse the sallow, lined complexion that smokers often have.

Reduce stress– Nicotine addiction makes smokers stressed from the ‘withdrawal’ between cigarettes. The pleasant feeling of satisfying that craving is only temporary and is not a real cure for stress. Also, the improved levels of oxygen in the body mean that ex-smokers can concentrate better and have increased mental wellbeing. Scientific studies show that people’s stress levels are lower after they stop smoking

Better teeth– Giving up tobacco stops teeth becoming stained, and you’ll have fresher breath. Ex-smokers are less likely than smokers to get gum disease and lose their teeth prematurely. Kicking the smoking habit gives your senses of smell and taste a boost. The body recovers from being dulled by the hundreds of toxic chemicals found in cigarettes.

Better breathing– people breathe more easily and cough less when they give up smoking because their lung capacity improves. In your 20s and 30s, the effect of smoking on your lung capacity may not be noticeable until you go for a run, but lung capacity naturally diminishes with age. In later years, having maximum lung capacity can mean the difference between having an active, healthy old age and wheezing when you go for a walk or climb the stairs.

Live longer– Half of all long-term smokers die early from smoking-related diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. Men who quit smoking by 30 add 10 years to their life. Quitting not only adds years to your life, but it also greatly improves the chance of a disease-free happier old age.

Live well– Within two to 12 weeks of stopping smoking, your circulation improves. This makes all physical activity, including walking and running, much easier.
Quitting also boosts your immune system, making it easier to fight off colds and flu. The increase in oxygen in the body makes ex-smokers less tired and less likely to have headaches.
You are 4 times more likely to quit with help from your local NHS Stop Smoking Service especially with the use of medication. So don’t wait! Start stopping today and contact your GP surgery or local Stop Smoking Clinic.