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Eighteen years ago, Amanda Pearce realised it was about time she made the effort, and quit smoking. Having begun smoking in her teens, because it seemed the ‘grown-up thing to do’, she now says that starting smoking was the worst thing she ever did, and quitting was one of the best!
Amanda said: “When I was 26, I decided I needed to quit smoking for the sake of my health, and have never looked back since.
“As soon as I stopped I remember noticing that it was easier to do more exercise, without getting quite so out of breath. I also noticed that I had much more money to spend, because I wasn’t buying a pack of cigarettes every day.
“Now I still reap the benefits. I enjoy walking in the countryside, and taking in those deep breaths of country air without wheezing is fantastic - I’m not sure I’d have got to the top of some of those hills 18 years ago!”
“As people have become more concerned with their health, and more and more choose to give up smoking, there are now more ways to quit smoking than when I stopped.
“The array of help and support available to quit smoking now is marvellous. I really would encourage others to quit smoking. I’ve never regretted it, not even for a minute in the whole of 18 years. I feel like it was a lifetime away now - I completely see myself as a non-smoker!”
John Soady, Assistant Director of Public Health at Sheffield West Primary Care Trust said: “Once a person has given up smoking, the improvements in their health start to take effect immediately. After just 20 minutes blood pressure and pulse return to normal, by 48 hours the sense of taste improves and by 72 hours, breathing and exercise become easier. These are very noticeable effects and it is not surprising that Amanda felt a real difference straight away.
“And it doesn’t stop there, within just a year of giving up, the risk of a heart attack reduces to about half of what it was as a smoker. After about 10 years, most of the risk of lung cancer is eliminated. The benefits are really massive, and we can help smokers to achieve them.”
For free advice and programmes to stop smoking contact the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service on freephone 0800 068 4490 or visit the website at www.sheffieldstopsmoking.org.uk for tips and an up-to-date list of your closest support centre.
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