On the 11th March 2020, we acknowledge No Smoking Day – an awareness campaign that encourages smokers to quit using cigarettes, to raise awareness of the health risk of smoking and to celebrate those who have kicked the habit in the past.
The campaign began in 1984 and is now organised by the British Heart Foundation. It has since become a significant day on the wellbeing calendar for individuals and organisations alike.
Health risks of smoking
Research has found that smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK and Ireland, with over 80,000 deaths being reported each year.
Those who smoke put themselves at a much higher risk of developing cancer in their lungs, mouth, throat, bladder and liver, among other parts of the body.
Smoking also damages your heart and your blood circulation, increasing your risk of developing conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
Smoking doesn’t just affect the health of the smoker, it can also have the same negative effects on those breathing in the second-hand smoke – also known as passive smoking.
If you would like to quit smoking, please click the URL https://www.nhs.uk/smokefree