Every year, thousands of Australians die from diseases caused by smoking.  One in two lifetime smokers will die from their smoking.  Smoking damages every organ in the body, and quitting smoking at any age gives benefits straight away, and reduces the risk of developing smoking-related illness.  With planning and willpower you can quit and stay a non-smoker

There is no safe level of smoking

Reduce the risk of smoking, by quitting. You will experience the health benefits of this decision almost straight away.

Conditions and diseases of smoking.

• Cancer
  Smoking causes most lung cancers and can cause cancer almost anywhere on the body. 
• Breathing problems and chronic respiratory conditions
  Smoking is the main cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious, progressive and disabling condition that limits airflow in the lungs.
  
• Asthma
  Active smoking also worsens asthma in active smokers and is associated with an increased risk for asthma in adolescents and adults.
• Heart disease, stroke and blood circulation problems
  Such as heart disease and stroke. Smoking increases the risk of blood clots, which block blood flow to the heart, brain or legs. 
• Diabetes
  Smoking causes type 2 diabetes, with the risk of developing diabetes 30 to 40% higher for active smokers than non-smokers. Smoking may also worsen some of the health conditions related to type 1 diabetes, such as kidney disease.
• Infections
  Smoking weakens your immune system so you’re more likely to get bacterial and viral infections.
• Dental problems
  Smoking increase the risk of gum diseases, tooth loss and tooth sensitivity. Once a person has gum damage, smoking also makes it harder for their gums to heal.
• Hearing loss
  Smoking reduces blood flow to the inner ear. Smokers may also lose their hearing earlier than a non-smoker.
• Vision loss
  Smoking damages the eye and can lead to macular degeneration — the main cause of blindness in Australia.
• Fertility problems
  Smoking can make it more difficult to fall pregnant and affect sperm quality. Find out more about smoking and tobacco and pregnancy.
• Osteoporosis and menopause
  Smoking is a risk factor for osteoporosis and in women, may result in early menopause compared to a non-smoker.

Effects on those around you 

When other people around you breathe in your second-hand smoke, they’re breathing in the same toxic and cancer-causing chemicals that you are.

Before you quit

Before you quit, we in the evaluation let us know: 

1. are taking any medicines, as chemicals in cigarette smoke change the way some medicines work. 
2. have or have had depression, anxiety or other mental illness, as stopping smoking can be stressful. 

4D's

When you get the urge to smoke remember the 4Ds:

​Delay ​acting on the urge to smoke. After a few minutes the urge will weaken. 

Deep breathe. ​Take a slow, deep breath in and out. Do this three times.

Drink water ​slowly.

Do something else to take your mind off smoking (e.g. exercise).

Tobacco smoking.

Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable diseases and death in Australia. Successful public health strategies over many decades have resulted in a significant decline in daily smoking proportions, with Australia now having one of the lowest daily smoking proportions among rganisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. Despite these positive changes, the harm from tobacco smoking continues to affect current smokers and ex-smokers, as well as non-smokers through their exposure to second-hand smoke (AIHW 2019).
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/tobacco-smoking

How many people smoke?

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) estimated that 11.6% of adults smoked daily in 2019. This daily smoking rate has declined from an estimated 12.8% in 2016 and has halved since 1991 (25%) (2020a) (Figure 1a).

How many cigarettes do adults smoke?

In 2019, the NDSHS reported current smokers aged 18 and over smoked an average of 12.9 cigarettes per day, a decrease from 15.9 cigarettes in 2001. ​

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