Smoking is the largest preventable cause of death in England

Peter’s story

Tobacco Dependency (smoking) is the largest preventable cause of death in England, and many of the chemicals can cause cancer. When you smoke, these chemicals damage your lungs and can pass into your blood and spread through your body. Smoking can affect every part of the body, from your skin to your brain.

That’s why the NHS are committed to supporting people to stop smoking. Tobacco dependence treatment is effective and improves the health and wellbeing of the person smoking and their family, as well as saving them money.

Peter, with Tobacco Dependency Advisor Carole
Peter, with Tobacco Dependency Adviser Carole

Peter Guy, who works for QE Facilities, quit smoking with the support of the QUIT team.  The team are based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and support inpatients, pregnant people, and Gateshead Health staff to reduce the harm caused by tobacco smoking.

After growing up around people who smoked, and smoking for 40 years himself, Peter never thought he would be able to quit.  However, following a recent diagnosis of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Peter knew it was time to make a change for the sake of his health.

With the help of his colleague, who showed him where he could access support at work, Peter reached out to the QUIT team for help.  Peter is now sharing his story as he urges other people to try to quit smoking.

Stopping smoking is the best thing I’ve ever done.
I didn’t think I’d be able to do it, but the support of the QUIT team was superb, and they were able to provide me with nicotine replacement to curb my cravings.
I have been smoke-free for 12 weeks, and I’m already starting to feel better.

Support to quit smoking can be provided by the QUIT team by calling 0191 4458963 or emailing [email protected].

Support is also available for free via the Smokefree App.

Ian’s story

The NHS recognise the harms of smoking, which is why all hospitals across the North East and North Cumbria now provide treatment for tobacco dependency to any patient who smokes, as part of their routine hospital care. 

Our Gateshead Health Hospital Sites are completely smokefree, which means that smoking is not allowed anywhere on our hospital sites.  This is really important to protect our staff, patients and visitors from the harms of second-hand smoke, and to ensure that everybody has the best chance of recovery during their visit.

If you smoke, and are admitted to hospital, the QUIT team will work with you to develop a personalised plan to remain smokefree whilst you are in hospital and can even offer support after discharge.    This might include being offered nicotine replacement products to help you manage any cravings or withdrawal symptoms, and you will be visited by a team during your stay to ensure you are comfortable.  You can find out more about the support available to inpatients by watching this informative video.

Ian had smoked for 36 hears before he was admitted to hospital following a heart attack.  After being reviewed by the QUIT team on the ward, Ian was able to quit smoking, and is urging other people to do the same:

The treatment was very good, with lovely staff who were very informative and helped during my stay and with the aftercare. I feel so much better since I quit smoking, and if you’re offered, I’d urge you to take the help.

The benefits of quitting smoking can be felt almost immediately, but your health can continue to improve:

  • Within 20 minutes, your pulse begins to return to normal
  • Within 8 hours, your oxygen levels are recovering too, and the harmful carbon monoxide in your body has halved
  • After 72 hours, breathing feels easier and best of all you’re feeling more energetic
  • After 2-12 weeks, your blood is pumping to your heart and muscles thanks to improved circulation
  • After 1 year, your risk of a heart attack has halved compared to a smoker
  • After 10 years your risk of death from lung cancer has halved

For support to quit, contact the QUIT team by calling 0191 445 8963 or emailing [email protected]

Support is also available for free via the Smokefree App.