A stop smoking programme has released new figures that show, for the first time, the true cost of smoking. This has never really been tackled by other reports due to the complexity of figuring out the cost both in terms of an individual’s financial perspective and the cost to the NHS.

According to the program that is based in the North East it costs the region more than £210million every year to deal with smokers.

This report is also based on the lives lost, illness and the cost to the NHS.

According to the report, in Northumberland alone, 18 per cent of adults are estimated to smoke regularly. However, smoking rates in Northumberland are lower than the English average.

This makes approximately 46,500 smokers in total across the county.

Sue Milner, the director of public health for Northumberland, commented on the report saying, “Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness and premature death in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. The benefits of giving up smoking are instant. After 20 minutes blood pressure starts to fall, in 24 hours the body is free from carbon monoxide and in 10 years an ex-smoker has lowered their risk of heart disease to the same level as someone who has never smoked before. Quitting smoking remains the single most important thing you can do to improve your health.  There is a variety of help and support available for people who would like to give up smoking and I want to urge as many people as possible to give it a try.”

In Northumberland, there will be approximately 445 deaths every year which are directly linked to smoking. This is the same as 225.3 deaths per 100,000. Patients may come in for various reasons, including COPDs where smokers have difficulty breathing due to constant smoking over the years, they may also have a stroke or other complaints like bad breath or rotting gums. There are a whole host of complaints a smoker may have after a lifetime of smoking. Even just a couple of years of smoking can cause you harm.

The report goes further, looking into the overall cost of smoking linked hospital admissions. In Northumberland this is calculated to be £6.23million every year – a huge cost to the NHS. The report also looked into the cost of GP admissions in the county. Smoking is also estimated to cost Northumberland £2million per year in GP consultations.

This means that the overall cost of smoking related disease in Northumberland to the NHS is £11.55million per year!

There are numerous options for a smoker to quit if they wish so with the latest being the electronic cigarette. The e cig as it is also known uses e liquid which can be bought in many different flavours and strengths. UK e liquid can be bought from shops, but to find the cheapest e liquid going online is your best option.

Many people may wonder what the difference is, between real and e cigarettes.

First, you probably know what a real cigarette is, so here is a definition of an e cig:

An electronic cigarette is a battery-powered inhaler device that provides doses of nicotine. The vapour it gives off is harmless and the taste usually mimics a flavour, like a cigar, or even fruit flavours and chocolate. There is no actual combustion involved so nothing burns with the e cig.

Most e-cigs are designed to also look like an actual cigarette. You hold it in the same way and inhale it in the same way…. so it feels just the same.

E-cigarettes are generally made up of these elements:

• a rechargeable battery
• the atomizer (heating element)
• the cartridge (resembling the filter)

Both real contain nicotine.

Nicotine is the drug your brain is addicted to. It works like caffeine. You can choose the level of nicotine you have in your e cig, but opting for differing e liquid strengths .

Real cigarettes are more dangerous, though.

Nicotine is addictive but if that were all you were getting from a real cigarette, it wouldn’t so bad. The real danger is in the fact that there are more than 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Many of these chemicals are medically proven and known to cause cancer. Real cigarettes contain chemicals like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and benzene.

E-cigarettes do not burn and do not contain tar. They also do not contain any other chemicals. This makes it a healthier alternative to smoking.

E cigs don’t pose the same risk as real cigs

There are many more facts about cigarettes which make you realise how dangerous they are, not just for your health.
The smell — smokers don’t notice it but everyone else does. The stink gets in all places like your car, your hair, your clothes and your furniture. E cigs don’t smell.
Second hand smoke — Smokers who expose others to second hand smoke could be putting them in danger. E cigs emit harmless vapours.
Ashes – ashtrays and burn holes are common sights for smokers but with e cigs you get none of this.
Money –After the initial investment of an e-cigarette, the replacement cartridges will be far more cost effective than the cost of real cigarettes. It usually runs at half the cost, saving you money. This money could go towards something much more meaningful like a family holiday or even paying off debts and credit cards. Also you can buy discount e liquid online which is much cheaper than purchasing a packet of cigarettes.

E-cigarettes can help you to stop smoking. E cigs can help you quit smoking as part of a quit smoking support schedule, because you can decrease the concentration of nicotine in the e cig. This means you can effectively “wean yourself” off the nicotine habit.

There are many reasons to quit smoking, as well as the issues mentioned here.

1. Improved fertility. Quitting smoking improves the health of the mother and father, and as such increases the condition of the bodies of the parents.
2. Better skin.
3. Better teeth.
4. Improved breathing. The moment you stop smoking, you will feel a difference in your breathing within a couple of days.
5. Longer life expectancy.
6. Stress levels will reduce. Scientific research shows that people’s stress levels are lower after they stop smoking.
7. Improved senses.
8. Energy levels increase. Within 2 to 12 weeks of quitting smoking, the circulation in your body and general health improves which means that all physical activity is much easier to do because you have more energy to do as you please!

We all know the benefits of stopping smoking; it improves your appearance, you will save extra cash and most importantly your health will be dramatically improved. The No Smoking ban has also meant we cannot smoke in public places, either. So why do people still smoke?

For most people, it is the addiction to nicotine which is the issue. This is the chemical which affects the brain and causes you to become hooked on smoking. Without it, your body suffers withdrawal symptoms which can be unpleasant. Some people try to quit smoking, but soon take it back up as they cannot cope with the lack of nicotine in their system.

If this is the case, then you should investigate into nicotine replacement products, like an electronic cigarette. This is considered the “healthier alternative to smoking.” E cigs contain eliquid which includes two main ingredients, nicotine and propylene glycol. The nicotine has 4 levels from a high nicotine dose to zero – this is the level you should aim for. You can use the product to effectively cut down your intake of nicotine. There is also a whole range of eliquid flavours including ice-cream, apple, tobacco, strawberry and even cheesecake. With this being healthier for you and for those around you it really is worth looking into if you want a brighter future.

There are other quit smoking products you could also use, like nicotine gums and patches, which are also nicotine replacement products. Some people also try meditation or acupuncture.

If you are interested in learning more about these products and many others, then maybe you should take a day out to visit the UK’s 2012 No Smoking Campaign exhibitions.

The campaign visits 7 venues over the UK spreading over the months of October and November. At these events they provide useful tips, advice and presentations with the latest campaign theme.

Whether you are the friend of a loved one who smokes or you are the smoker who wants to quit, you can start by registering today at www.nosmokingday.org.uk and this can be the first step to QUITTING smoking for good.

More than 50% of ALL smokers die from smoking related illnesses.

It is most common for smokers to think of cancer – and lung cancer especially, as the only killer of smokers. However, this is not the only disease that smokers suffer from.

In fact, the most common disease is arteriosclerosis, which is when your blood vessels narrow down due to a mixture of different toxic substances accumulating in the cardiovascular system and 35,000 people die every year from this in the United States alone.

Arteriosclerosis can go unnoticed for years and some of the time can go unnoticed for decades at a time, as this can not show any symptoms. This can eventually cause heart diseases; attacks, hypertension, apoplectic strokes and thrombosis which is brought on by an oxygen undersupply. Evidence also suggests that people who have been smoking for 25 years or longer can expect to suffer heart conditions such as a heart attack.

There are many other cancers, like pancreatic, colon, gullet, prostate and even testicular cancer. You can get throat and mouth cancer too.

The only way to prevent such diseases occurring is by stopping smoking.

The sooner you quit the better you will feel and the less chance of contracting diseases. You may suffer some side effects if you go “cold turkey.”

Side effects are short lived, but will include; anxiety, irritability and maybe even weight gain.

If you use nicotine replacement therapies, you will soon get over these as your mind gets used to the lack of nicotine in your system and your habit slowly loosens its grasp.

In terms of nicotine replacement, with smoking E Liquid in e cigarettes you can gradually wean yourself off of the smoking habit. The e cig is a considerable healthier alternative to real smoking, so some smoke e cigs permanently as a lifestyle choice. It is considered a sensible way to gradually cut down on your habit, rather than quitting suddenly where your body could react badly.

For you and those that surround you every day, this could be a great way of sensibly reducing your nicotine intake and inhibiting your chances of dying in the future from a smoking related disease.

The e-liquid consists of two main ingredients, propylene glycol and nicotine. You are able to choose a variety of different flavours each time whilst decreasing the amount of nicotine dose you use. To find the cheapest e liquid look around a few different websites, also look to see if there is a sale or clearance page to find discount e-liquid or electronic cigarettes which would further save you money.

When trying to quit smoking, you should draw up a schedule. This enables you to make proper plans and set targets.

Your quit smoking schedule should include:

1. Write on the calendar when you plan to have your last real cigarette, and when you want to be smoke free. Be realistic, 1 month might not be long enough.
2. Write in time for you to meditate and relax. Learn breathing exercises. When you smoke you are inhaling a lot of toxic substances which are very bad for you –so one of the ways to help you quit smoking is by exhaling in a deep relaxed state. Doing this will calm your mind and remind you of your goals.  You have a sense of control when meditating as it helps you relax and relieve your mind of all worries. This can be done anywhere, maybe in a quiet room where you can close your eyes or listen to some soothing music where you can focus on things more important.
3. Schedule in day to day reminders. This may include, drinking water. This may seem silly to you, but having a sip of water every so often will help discard any cravings for a smoke and with this also helps to get rid of some nicotine lingering in your system. You might aim to drink a litre every three hours.
4. Use products that actually work – like e liquid. This is a product found in e cigarettes. It can help you wean your way off smoking. You can purchase uk e liquid from a number of stores and online websites  Having a physical product resembling that of a real cigarette can mentally help you quit smoking as the change you have made is not a visual one. With this e liquid comes a variety of flavours including apple, vanilla, chocolate, cigar and tobacco. This is one of the better quit-smoking products as you are able to lower the dose and be in control which is something most smokers feel is important. It is definatly a stop smoking product worth investing in if you are planning to quit – and are serious about it. E liquid nicotine strengths vary from containing a lot of nicotine to containing none. You should mark the day on the calendar when you plan to start using the e cig and when you plan on lowering the strength of nicotine. This helps you to keep track of your progress effectively.
5. Reward yourself when you have totally quit!

Why would you want to quit smoking?

Here are just a few benefits ;

1. It will lengthen your life expectancy.
2.  Suffering from smoke-related diseases is slow and painful – continuously smoking will enhance your chances of getting these diseases, like cancer or heart attacks.
3. COPDs will be less common, like a painful cough with bronchitis
4. Yellow fingers and the lingering smell of cigarettes will be diminished.
5.  Without smoking, the circulation of your blood and its pressure would return to normal and your health will be by far better off.
6. You’ll also regain your sense of taste and smell with the added benefit of being able to breathe far easier than you have been able to

What are the side effects of quitting?

Side effects are short lived, but will include; anxiety, irritability and maybe even weight gain. You will soon get over these as your mind gets used to the lack of nicotine. Many people find these side effects difficult to cope with, but staying on the right path is essential.

There are some methods to help you quit smoking ;

Breathing exercises, this will help you exhale some of the toxic substances that you inhale every time you have another cigarette.

Drinking lots of water; this will help your nicotine craving and will help you get rid of some of the nicotine still lingering in your system.

Meditation; Why not try and focus on other things by closing your eyes and thinking about what you need to do in that day; this will then focus the energy away from your cravings.

Gums and patches; These act as a nicotine replacement therapy, these popular products can help keep cravings at bay because they work much like e liquid. They contain nicotine to beat cravings.

Staying positive; there will always be a stressful moment where you will want to reach for a cigarette, but keeping a positive mindset will help you to achieve your goal.

What is most successful?

There are many successful products and medication to help you quit but one of the main ones includes E cigarettes. This is an electronic look-alike cigarette which contains e liquid. E liquid includes two main ingredients, nicotine and propylene glycol, and you can choose from a range of flavours from chocolate and ice-cream to tea and coffee. Electronic cigarettes are cheaper then cigarettes and discount eliquid can be bought online in varying strengths depending on your personal requirement. If you are unsure on which strength to choose or what flavour to pick from there are a selection of forums which can be found online where you can find some eliquid reviews to help you.

People still have a lot of questions and doubts about e liquid and e cigarettes. This is natural as it is still quite a new concept. Electronic cigarettes claim to be the better alternative to cigarette smoking. Two main questions about e cigarettes and e liquid are addressed here.

What ingredients are in e liquid?

This is a very common question – there are two main e liquid ingredients. The first ingredient is called propylene glycol and the second is nicotine which is the substance that smokers are addicted to. It can be very difficult o quit because nicotine attacks the brain cells, making you dependant.

Propylene Gylcol is the substance that enables e cig smokers to, what is known as, “vape.” Propylene Glycol is marked as safe by the Food and Drug Administration or as it is sometimes called, the FDA.

It is very safe and causes no harm to anyone who uses it. It is also found in everyday items such as shampoo and medicine

An alternative to PG is VG which is vegetable glycerin. This is made from a certain plant substance. This is just as safe as PG. E liquids can be bought on the internet from reputable suppliers.

How can I tell how much of nicotine is in my e liquid?

E liquid is labelled with the strength of the nicotine inside it. Generally, you would want to get the nicotine strength that is equal to the amount of nicotine that you normally get from regular cigarette smoking.

E liquid comes in different strengths from very low to super high. Because of this, many people are able to effectively “wean” themselves off of nicotine by lowering doses gradually.

The strongest is high which is about 18 to 24 mg and the second one is medium which ranges from 11 to 16 mg. The lowest dose is 0 to 6 mg and you can even get some e liquid without any nicotine in.

If you feel lightheaded, that means that you are taking far too much nicotine for your body. It is best to take a lower dose.

Although nicotine is present in e cigs, it is non carcinogenic so this means it is better for your health and the people around you than regular cigarette smoking. Because e cigs are FDA approved, this should give you the confidence to know how safe it is, too.

E Liquid comes in many different flavours including Tobacco, Chocolate, RY4, Orange, Vanilla, Cigar and even Strawberry Cheesecake. To find the cheapest e liquid for you electronic cigarette you should look around and look on websites sale and clearance sections to find the best deals and prices.

Many people hear of the health benefits to quitting smoking. But have you considered the financial ones?

You probably aren’t aware how much this smoking habit is costing you. You may know that each pack costs you £6, which could mean you are spending £800 a year or more. This may have got your attention, but there are many other costs too.

There are a number of hidden costs linked with smoking.

This includes:

·         Life Insurance. Statistics show that smokers die earlier than non smokers. This means that the cost for life insurance is much higher than for non smokers. Sometimes it can be double! This may amount to thousands of pounds in total each and every year.

·         Home Insurance. This is linked to the above. You may not think the two are related, but statistics show that people who smoke have a higher risk of fires in their home than people that don’t smoke. This means smokers pay higher premiums than non smokers which could amount to hundreds of pounds a year.

·         Value of your home. Smoking in your home can cause damage to the walls and ceilings, leaving unsightly stains. This means a house will decrease its value. Also, viewers are less likely to find your home attractive when looking around the property. This is because the smell will also play a part in their decisions, subconsciously making them feel repelled in the house.

·         Car Insurance. Statistics show that smokers get into more car accidents because they are distracted when lighting up. This means your car insurance may also be higher.

·         Car Value. Just like the example of a home losing its value, so too can a car. The stench of cigarettes is even harder to remove from a vehicle, no matter how hard you try and scrub it out it can linger for months and months.

·         Cost of Cleaning. Smokers usually need to pay more money to keep their clothes and possessions clean.

·         Dental Care. Smokers have more dental and gum problems than non smokers. This can be very expensive to rectify!

The above examples show just how costly smoking can become, and the massive impact it will have on your life. To quit, many people choose to wean themselves off by choosing e cigs and e liquid, others use hypnotherapy, acupuncture and meditation to beat their habit and get their finances back on track.

Everyone knows smoking is bad for your health, but there are other reasons you should quit, too. These include:

1. Smoking is hazardous to other people. Second hand smoke is also a major health concern, which could cause asthma attacks, COPDs, and even cancers in your nearest and dearest. Don’t let them pay for your habit!
2. Smoking repels other people. Non smokers may find your habit off putting, especially if you are single and trying to meet someone. Friends may also be less likely to want to go out with you if you always want to smoke. Contrary to popular belief, smoking is NOT sociable.
3. The smell. Anyone can smell a smoker. The stench gets in clothes, hair and skin no matter how hard you try to wash it off!
4. Your breathing will be hindered. Not be able to breathe properly is scary and can lead to other illnesses. The tar clogging your lungs makes breathing difficult and you’ll find you can’t do sports or even walking as easily as non smokers.
5. Smoking is bad for your child. If you’re pregnant, your unborn baby could be born prematurely, and in some cases could be stillborn. This is devastating for any expectant mother, so cut out any risks asap.
6. Your skin suffers. You’ll never have celebrity type smooth and perfect skin if you smoke. It clogs pores, making skin dull and lifeless.
7. Your house suffers, too. If you smoke indoors, your walls will be discoloured. White paint will quickly be stained and yellow.
8. Smoking harms your teeth and gums. Many smokers even lose their teeth to decay through smoking.
9. Smoking is very expensive – your hard earned cash could be better spent on your family or that special get away you are trying to save for.
10. Your life expectancy will be cut by TEN YEARS. If this isn’t a reason to quit, then what is? Prolong your life and give up your habit, today.

If you are a smoker and would like to give up the unhealthy and expensive habit there are a number of options out there available to you. These include a variety of NRTs (Nicotine Replacement Therapies) ranging from nicotine patches and gum to nicotine nasal spray. However most recently many smokers are turning to the Electronic Cigarette to help them combat their smoking addiction. Electronic Cigarettes are much cheaper in the long term then traditional smoking as you can buy cheap e liquid online and the Electronic Cigarette has a charger so if it runs out you can plug it in, charge it up, and start smoking again. E liquid contains the flavouring, nicotine and propylene glycol which makes the smoke visible when you vape, however non nicotine e liquid can be purchased if required.

An electronic cigarette contains a battery, an atomizer and a cartridge. This all comes in a compact tube shape which looks and handles like a normal cigarette. A few drops of e liquid are placed into the cartridge which burns. You can buy e liquids in different flavours, but all e liquids mainly contain water, nicotine and propylene glycol.

This means that when the smoker uses the inhaler, which they inhale much like a normal cigarette, they are met with a hit of nicotine.

Because there are different strengths of e liquid, you can choose how much of a nicotine hit you would like. This is ideal for lighter smokers who would find the standard strength too strong. You can also buy e liquids which don’t contain any nicotine at all; this is for people who only want the taste of the flavour in the e liquid rather than anything related to nicotine. It is also useful for people who want to cut down their nicotine intake completely, as they can gradually wean themselves off of nicotine by adjusting strengths lower and lower.

When inhaled, the smoker will receive the flavor of the e liquid and a feeling of a real smoke, but will not be breathing in the many different toxins that normal cigarettes contain. This means it is safer to smoke around others, too. The vapour emitted from the electronic cigarette is harmless and odourless.