Smoking is recognised as the largest preventable cause of death in Australia. It is a major cause of heart disease, stroke and several different forms of cancer, as well as a variety of other health problems.

Passive smoking happens when you breathe in exhaled cigarrette smoke.
Research on passive smoking shows that it has an effect on the health of non smokers. It also poses a particular danger to the respiratory health of young children.

Passive smoke contains many cancer causing chemicals. Lung cancer, heart disease, asthma, stroke, and
cot death (SIDS) have all been linked to passive smoking.

Benefits of Quitting

Stopping smoking has major and immediate health benefits for men and women of all ages. These benefits apply to people with and without smoking-related diseases so it is well worth quitting.

Depending on the number of cigarettes you smoke, typical benefits of stopping are

After 12 hours almost all the nicotine is out of your system.
After 24 hours the level of carbon monoxide is your blood has dropped dramatically. You now have more oxygen in your bloodstream.
After five days most nicotine by-products have gone from your system.
Within days your sense of taste and smell improves.
Within a month your blood pressure returns to its normal level and your immune system begins to show signs of recovery.
Within two months your lungs will no longer be producing extra phlegm caused by smoking.
After 12 months your increased risk of dying from heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker.
Stopping smoking reduces the incidence and progression of lung disease including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
After 10 years your risk of lung cancer is less than half that of a continuing smoker and continues to decline (provided the disease is not already present).
After 15 years your risk of heart attack and stroke is almost the same as that of a person who has never smoked.

Protect your children

Children exposed to cigarette smoke can develop a number of serious health problems. They are also more likely to become smokers themselves.

If you smoke:

Remember that you are a role model
Think about quitting
Don't smoke in front of your children
Don't smoke inside the house
Don't smoke inside the car

If you do not smoke:

Protect your child from other people's smoke
Stop other people from smoking in your car or your home

Smoking and pregnancy

To learn more about smoking when pregnant and that means for your baby, please use the links below.