Protect Your Family From Secondhand Smoking #BrakesonSmoking

Although we all know smoking is harmful, quitting is easier said than done. I thought I should share our experience as a family dealing with smoking, in order to show you that anyone can quit!

How hubby quit smoking 

Hubby used to smoke for nearly 10 years and it was difficult for him to quit smoking. I have previously shared his experience in True Story: ExSmokers are Unstoppable, highlighting how hubby managed to quit and all the benefits since he stopped smoking. 

Hubby used to smoke when we met, but he would usually get out of the room and go outside to smoke. I wish I knew at the time about the dangers of secondhand smoke. Once we decided to have a family, he thought it was the right time to quit smoking and become healthier. He was looking forward to improving his fitness, breathing better and improving his sense of taste – particularly important for chefs like him.

I must confess the beginning of the journey was challenging, especially the first couple of weeks. I had to be very patient when hubby was dealing with cravings and nicotine withdrawals symptoms. He was easily irritable and restless.  A few weeks later, hubby was very proud of his progress and started to feel much better. 

Dangers of Secondhand Smoking

There are endless reasons to quit smoking, including your own health and pocket. Not only quitting benefits the ones that stop smoking, it is also beneficial to those around them. Secondhand smoking is very harmful, affecting the health of everyone exposed to smoke, especially children.

You might have seen the TV ad as part of NHS Smokefree Homes and Cars campaign, explaining that most of secondhand smoke is invisible. Although 80% of the smoke can’t be seen, it is very harmful and dangerous. No matter how careful you are, your children can still breathe in the harmful poisons. 

As a parent, we all want the best for our children and I am so grateful hubby quit smoking before little man was born. Secondhand smoke is a real and serious threat to children’s health due to their less developed airways, lungs and immune systems, combined with the fact that they breathe more rapidly than adults.

Every time a child breathes in secondhand smoke, they breathe in thousands of chemicals that can cause cancer and increase the risk of lower respiratory infections (such as bronchitis and pneumonia), middle ear infection, meningitis, decreased lung function and sudden infant death syndrome such as cot death. 

Help to Quit Smoking 

Although the journey to quitting is not easy, there are lots of help available. I would strongly recommend sharing your desire to quit with your family and friends, so they can help you and understand when you have any cravings or nicotine withdrawals. 

You can also find a range of free support tools and resources on NHS Smokefree website, such as Quit Kit, Smokefree app, local Stop Smoking service, text message support and email support. It is essential to keep focused and the motivational support can make a massive difference on the success of the quitting journey.

You can start protecting your family from secondhand smoke today! What are you waiting for?!

This post is in support of the NHS Smokefree Homes and Cars campaign with BritMums. If you are looking to quit smoking search ‘Smokefree’ or visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree for free support and advice.