IF YOU’RE DESPERATE TO QUIT SMOKING, NOW’S THE PERFECT TIME TO DO IT

31THERE has never been a better time to quit smoking – and I’ve had a fair few patients contact me looking for help, spurred on by Covid-19 worries.

Triggers such as pubs and the company of smoker friends are out of the equation, so there’s every chance you’ll succeed.

Smoking increases your chances of catching the virus by a quarter and makes you two-and-a-half times more likely to have serious complications if you do.

You’re four times more likely to quit for good with support from your local HSE Quit team for support with quitting smoking. Call 1800 201 203 or text QUIT to 50100.

You can also sign up to a Quit plan online.

It offers support groups and telephone and video calls from healthcare practitioners.

You can also use an over-thecounter aid such as nicotine gum or a patch, pictured.

The strength of gum or patch you need depends how heavily you smoke.

If you smoke 20 cigarettes daily, opt for a gum containing roughly 4g of nicotine.

And if you smoke within half an hour of waking up, you’ll need a patch that lasts 24 hours.

Another option is to take medication that stops cravings.

A GP can prescribe this and send it to your local pharmacist.

Or you could try vaping.

It’s 95% safer, in terms of health risks, than normal cigarettes.

You can get a vaping device easily from many stores online, and your HSE Quit adviser will be able to recommend one.