Quit smoking
If you’re a smoker, quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to improve and protect your health, and those around you. Remember, it is never too late to quit.
Smoking is a highly addictive habit with serious and life-threatening consequences. Two out of three lifetime smokers will die prematurely from a smoking-related disease.
While the number of Australians who smoke has reduced significantly from 25% of adults (18+) in 1991 to around 11.6% of the population in 2019, roughly 2.7 million Australian adults still smoke.
With smoking sitting as the leading cause of preventable deaths and illness worldwide, and Australia being one of the most expensive places in the world to purchase cigarettes, there are many reasons to quit this habit.
Why quit smoking?
It’s never too late to quit smoking. There are numerous reasons to stop, from the immediate health benefits —sometimes even reversing the damage — to protecting the well-being of those around you. Quitting also reduces your risk of many diseases and saves you money. The Australian Government talks about the benefits you’ll start to see as your body starts repairing:
The first month
In 12 hours excess carbon monoxide is out of your blood.
In 5 days most nicotine is out of your body.
In 1 week your sense of taste and smell improves.
In 1 month your skin appearance is likely to improve.
The first year
In 2 months your lungs will no longer be producing extra phlegm caused by smoking.
In 3 months your lung function and blood flow improves.
In 12 months your risk of heart disease has halved.
Longer term benefits
In 5 years your risk of a stroke has dramatically decreased.
In 10 years your risk of lung cancer is less than half that of a continuing smoker and continues to fall.
In 15 years your risk of heart attack and stroke is almost the same as that of a person who has never smoked.
Other benefits:
While quitting at any age has benefits, the earlier you quit the lower your risk of developing smoking-related cancers.
Your general dental health will improve once you quit smoking
Smoking can affect fertility and the chance of falling pregnant. Once pregnant, smoking can have serious effects on the development of a baby and its health after birth. Quitting smoking is the best thing to do for the health of you and your baby.
The effects of smoking
Smoking is one of Australia’s most prevalent causes of disease and death¹, and has links to several serious health issues including:
Cancer
Asthma
Emphysema
Heart disease
Stroke
Eye disease
Diabetes
Kidney disease
COVID-19
Smokers may also be at higher risk of more severe COVID-19 complications. Because smoking is linked to poor lung health, cardiovascular disease and cancer, it puts smokers at a higher risk of more severe COVID-19 symptoms if they contract it.
Additionally, second-hand smoke (inhaled from someone’s smoke or the end of a lit tobacco product) can affect the health of those around you, even if they don’t smoke themselves.
What options are available to quit smoking?
If you’re a smoker and have decided you want to stop smoking, you’ve already made a positive step in the right direction by seeking information. It’s important to remember for most smokers, it takes many attempts and different methods to be successful.
For anyone who is trying to quit, the first step is to see your GP or pharmacist who may recommend several different options you could try:
Going ‘cold turkey’ or cutting down
Support services, such as Quitline – phone 137 848 or quit.org.au
Nicotine replacement therapies – such as gum, patches, lozenges and sprays
Prescription medicine
Nicotine vaping products (NVPs) such as e-cigarettes may be recommended by your Doctor as an appropriate intervention if you have exhausted all other options. You will require a prescription for NVPs. E-cigarettes and vaping are not suitable for everyone and should be decided on and guided by your doctor.
Vaping and patient care
MediADVICE is committed to providing patient-centred care to Australians managing nicotine dependence. Our pharmacists support the use of evidence-based treatments, in line with clinical best practice.
It is important to acknowledge that the long-term health impacts of therapeutic vapes remain uncertain, and current evidence regarding their efficacy in smoking cessation is mixed. Nicotine vapes are not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
Given the complex and rapidly emerging nature of therapeutic vaping as a clinical service to support Australians living with nicotine and tobacco dependence, MediADVICE does not currently support the supply of vaping products over-the-counter.
MediADVICE remains committed to supporting patients who are prescribed therapeutic vapes by their medical practitioner.
MediADVICE respects the professional judgment of individual pharmacists in determining the clinically appropriate supply of low-dose therapeutic vapes* as a therapy or to refer patients for further care.
*Low-dose pertains to the supply of nicotine vapes with a strength of 20mg/ml
We know quitting can be tough, but with information, perseverance, and encouragement it can be done. Your MediADVICE pharmacist can be a great source of support and expert advice on this journey.
Your pharmacist will work with you to create a personalised quit plan in line with your goals, and recommend medications and products that may help you achieve a healthier, smoke-free life.
They may also encourage you to celebrate the small wins like hitting a milestone of smoke-free days. Speak to us today about how we can support you.
Remember, it is never too late to quit.
Find you nearest store
Disclaimer
General advice only – this information should not replace the information provided to you by your health care professional. If symptoms are severe or persist, please speak to your health care professional. Information current as of date of publishing.
Always check with your pharmacist or medical professional before starting any new medications or supplements, particularly if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, are taking any medications currently, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or researching therapies suitable for infants or children.