Smoking causes numerous diseases and health problems, some fatal, among both smokers and non-smokers. For this reason, smoking is prohibited in a growing number of public places and a wide range of support services has been developed to help individuals quit smoking.

Avoiding a smoking habit

Many smokers say they started smoking before the age of 18, even though the law prevents anyone selling tobacco, cigarettes or cigarette papers to those under this age. Avoiding the temptation to smoke at an early age is therefore important to prevent you developing a habit.

Reasons to quit smoking

People give up smoking for many reasons, from a desire to improve their health and to save money, to wanting to appeal to the opposite sex or reduce any potential harm on someone else's health.

Improving your health

In the UK one person dies from a smoking-related disease every four minutes. Smoking causes:

• lung cancer (smoking causes over 80 per cent of all lung cancer deaths)
• heart disease
• bronchitis
• strokes
• stomach ulcers
• leukaemia
• gangrene
• other cancers eg mouth and throat cancer

It can also worsen colds, chest problems and allergies like hay fever, bronchitis and emphysema, as well as have unpleasant side-effects such as wrinkles and bad breath. Smoking can also make you cough, sneeze or feel short of breath when you exercise.

Boosting your sex appeal

Its a myth that smoking helps you lose weight, in fact it can cause cellulite. And kissing someone with a mouth like an ashtray isn't sexy.