Page 6 - South Asia BioBank Sample Health Report

SMOKING [CONTINUED]

HOW DOES SMOKING INCREASE MY RISK OF HEART AND CIRCULATORY DISEASES?
Smoking cigarettes releases chemicals that makes your arteries sticky. This allows fatty material to stick to the inside of
the artery walls. If the arteries that carry blood to your heart get damaged and blocked, it can lead to a heart attack. If
this happens in the arteries that carry blood to your brain it can lead to a stroke.

ARE SMOKING ALTERNATIVES LIKE SHISHA LESS HARMFUL TO MY HEALTH?
Shisha traditionally contains cigarette tobacco, so like cigarettes it contains nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and other
harmful chemicals. These chemicals affect the arteries the same way cigarettes. During one session of shisha (around 60
minutes), you inhale the same amount of smoke as you’d get from smoking 100 or more cigarettes.
WHY SHOULD I QUIT SMOKING?

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. Even if you’ve smoked for years, quitting will still reduce
your risk of heart diseases. By quitting smoking you can see the benefits sooner than you think!

20 minutes after you quit smoking, your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.
After 2–3 days your sense of smell and taste improve.
After 2–12 weeks exercise becomes easier and your breathing improves.
After 1 year your risk of having a heart attack is half that of a smoker.

IS SECOND HAND SMOKE HARMFUL?

Shisha traditionally contains cigarette tobacco, so like cigarettes it contains nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and other
harmful chemicals. These chemicals affect the arteries the same way cigarettes. During one session of shisha (around 60
minutes), you inhale the same amount of smoke as you’d get from smoking 100 or more cigarettes.

HOW TO QUIT SMOKING
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. It can be hard but there is a lot of help available to you. If
you smoke and want to quit, you're not alone. With the proper support, you're more likely to quit. The following are ways
that can help you quit;

Speak to your GP, pharmacist, or practice nurse about how to quit smoking. They can give you advice, enrol you in
stop smoking clinics, and provide guidance on medication and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help you quit.
Get support from NHS Stop Smoking Services near you or call the Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044
(England only).
Let your family and friends know that you're quitting. Some people find that talking to friends and relatives who've
stopped smoking can be helpful.