Smoking Cessation
Did you know quitting smoking not only benefits you in the short term but also has positive long term effects for both you and those around you?
Our Advice
Smoking is the leading cause of avoidable death in Ireland, around 5500 people die annually, with thousands more suffering serious health consequences.
At Marron’s Pharmacy we are here to help when you decide to quit smoking. Take a look at our Smoking Cessation Service and call in store to speak to a member of our specially trained staff who can guide you through your own personal quit plan and the various therapies available.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) reduces the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal that happens when you quit. Using NRT you are more likely to quit and stay quit for good vs willpower alone. At Marron’s Pharmacy we have a full range of NRT products to suit every type of quitter. These include:
Patches – These come in different strengths depending on how much you smoke. They work by supplying a constant level of nicotine into the blood over 16 hours to 24 hours, helping to tackle cravings and reducing withdrawal symptoms.
Chewing gum – Gum helps reduce cravings and gives you something to do with the mouth in place of smoking which helps change the habit of smoking. This gum has an instant flavour burst and comes in various strengths depending on how much you smoke. Nicotine is not absorbed while chewing, you need to “park” the gum next to your inside cheek when experiencing a craving.
Inhalers – Replaces the nicotine normally inhaled from a cigarette but also provides the hand to mouth action that mimics the act of smoking, replacing your own unique habits as well.
Quickmist – This delivers nicotine into the body through the lining of the mouth, it starts to work in just 60 seconds and gives fast relief from cigarette cravings.
Minis – These are tiny hard tablets that quickly dissolve in the mouth to give fast relief from cravings when they come on. They are available in two strengths depending on how many cigarettes a day you smoked.
Getting the right help and support can double the chances of successfully quitting smoking. Have a read of our testimonials section for some comments of successful people who quit smoking with our help.
Smoking and Your Body
1 in 2 smokers will die from a smoking related disease. The good news is that those who stop smoking by the age of 30 will add 10 years on to their life and those who stop smoking by 60 will add 3 years. Smoking causes a lot of damage to parts of your body including:
Heart
- Smoking causes heart disease and doubles your risk of having a heart attack.
Brain
- Smoking increases blood pressure by narrowing and weakening blood vessels and increases the risk of clots meaning smokers are at increased risk of stroke.
Lungs
- Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer in Ireland (up to 85% of cases).
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a debilitating progressive illness of the lungs caused mainly by smoking. With COPD, lung function is permanently lost.
Reproduction
- Smoking can reduce fertility in women and increase impotence in men.
- Smoking when pregnant also can lead to miscarriage premature birth, still birth and increases the risk of cot death.
Benefits of stopping smoking
- Benefits can be seen just 20 minutes after your last cigarette as your blood pressure begins to drop.
- After 3 days your breathing will improve making everyday tasks much easier.
- In 1 month your circulation will improve.
- After quitting smoking for 9 months your lung capacity will increase by up to 10%.
- 5 years of being smoke free greatly reduces your risk of smoking related cancers and within 10 years it is half of that of a smoker.
Smoking and your family
- Stopping smoking greatly improves the health of the loved ones around you. In fact, children from a household where one parent smokes are twice as likely of getting chest infections, asthma and even ear infections.
At Marron’s, we are always available to help you quit. Those who stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to give up for good. Start your journey today and find out your next steps to enjoying a healthier and happier lifestyle.
What does the service offer?
Marron’s Pharmacists are available to tailor a plan best suited to your needs and preferences to help you stop smoking.
Your pharmacist will explain the negative effects of smoking and the benefits of giving up smoking.
How Does It Work?
Our pharmacists will help you:
- Choose the most suitable products for you to use as part of your quit programme.
- By providing useful information on personal triggers and how to beat the cravings.
- Dealing with withdrawal symptoms.
- In times when motivation is needed in cases of slip ups.
Why Is It Important?
The benefits of stopping or not smoking start straight away:
- The good news is that once you quit smoking, your body experiences a series of beneficial health changes that begin immediately and continue for years.
- Within 20 minutes of quitting, your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal. Circulation improves in the hands and feet, making them warmer.
- After 8 hours, oxygen levels in the blood return to normal. Your chances of a heart attack start to fall.
- Within 24 hours, carbon monoxide is cleared from your body and after 48 hours, your sense of taste and smell begin to improve.
- After 72 hours, breathing will become easier and your energy levels will increase.
- After 1 year, your risk of a heart attack reduces by 50%.
- After 10 years, your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker and your risk of a heart attack falls to about the same as someone who has never smoked.