Don’t get hooked on cigs again as lockdown eases
Anti-smoking campaigners in the North East are warning people who quit during lockdown of the danger of getting hooked again while socialising outdoors.
Fresh says this weekend will offer many the first opportunity to meet friends and visit a pub again outdoors – but also brings the risk of having a cigarette.
The warning comes after a national survey which showed that over half of smokers are “stress-smoking” more, and 10% lighting up again after quitting.
Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, said: “If you've quit smoking, the worst thing of all is to think you can have the odd cigarette which can undo the brilliant achievement of quitting and get you hooked again.
"Light smoking is still smoking and carries with it substantial risks.
“If necessary, try to avoid putting yourself into situations where you might be tempted to smoke as going back to smoking is almost certainly something you will badly regret. Switching
to vaping instead is one way people can quit and also avoid the temptation of smoking tobacco.”
She added: “For many people the pandemic has been a wake-up call about health and thousands of people quit here in the North East. However we know some will have relapsed and others may be smoking more due to stress.
“There is brilliant support to quit and the improvements to health begin as soon as you stop. Although quitting can be stressful initially, research shows that six weeks is all it takes to give a boost to your mental health and to help reduce depression, anxiety and stress.”