Call to stub out habit for your mental health

Smokers can improve their mental health in just six weeks, according to new research.

Today is No Smoking Day and North East anti-smoking group Fresh is calling on people to give quitting another go.

It comes as a major review from Cochrane reassures smokers who want to stop smoking that quitting for six weeks may improve their mental wellbeing, by reducing anxiety, depression, and stress.

The study found that people who stopped for at least six weeks experienced less depression, anxiety, and stress than people who continued to smoke.

Separate Public Health England data show smokers have poorer mental wellbeing than non-smokers – and someone smoking 10 a day is likely to be £144 a month better off by quitting. Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, said: “This is the clearest evidence yet about the benefits of quitting smoking to relieve stress and anxiety.

“People with mental health conditions die 10 to 20 years earlier and smoking is the biggest cause of this life expectancy gap.

“Many smokers believe tobacco helps them with stress, but now we know that if you can quit for just six weeks, you start to see an improvement not just in your physical health but feeling less stressed and anxious.”

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health said: “After the year we’ve all had some smokers might not feel it’s the right time to stop but it absolutely is.

"People trying to quit have a greater chance of success and if they use aids like NRT patches and gum, vaping or stop smoking services.”