No Smoking Day

On No Smoking Day 2006 1.5 million smokers made a quit attempt and millions more used the Day to take a step towards stopping smoking.

Overall, 3 million people took this opportunity to take some first steps towards stopping: either calling a helpline, talking to an advisor or picking up some self-help literature.

It is never too late to quit smoking, although the sooner you quit the greater the long-term benefits for your health.

Cancer Research UK, one of the sponsors of No Smoking Day, shows you the benefits of taking up the quitting challenge on 14 March 2007:

after just 20 minutes your blood pressure and pulse return to normal

after 8 hours oxygen levels in your blood return to normal

after 24 hours your body is free from carbon monoxide

if you have skin problems, they may clear up

your breathing, sense of smell and taste will improve

Over time, your risk of serious smoking-related diseases is dramatically cut:

3 years after quitting your risk of a heart attack is the same as for a non-smoker

10 years after quitting your lung cancer risk is halved

15 years after quitting your health is effectively the same as a non-smoker

Then there are the financial savings - check out Cancer Research UK's quitter's calculator to find out how much your habit is costing you.

With the savings you make by giving up you could motivate yourself by giving some money to a very good cause - make a donation to Cancer Research UK, or why not get friends and family to sponsor you to quit and raise money for the charity's vital research at the same time?

Join our Stop Smoking message board if you want to talk to others who are quitting too.

In association with Cancer Research UK. Registered charity number 1089464