Introduction

Today, tobacco is the most commonly used drug in the world and currently there are about 13 million adult smokers in the UK. Although the number of people smoking has been steadily reducing over the past 20 years, recently there has been a slight increase in the numbers of women and young people smoking. More figures & statistics (Local & national smoking figures).

Most people know smoking is bad for health but nicotine is a highly addictive drug, inhaled (along with 4000 other chemicals) every time you smoke. Smoking is the largest preventable cause of death and illness in the UK killing more than 13 people every hour. As well as being the main cause of cancer and heart disease, it also causes many other fatal diseases and long-term illnesses. More health effects of smoking.

Some smokers, especially those who have been smoking for a long time, believe the damage to their health is irreversible so think that giving up smoking is pointless. But read on, there are lots of reasons to quit smoking & lots of help.