Stopping smoking
Let's make every day smoke-free
In this section you will find links to resources and tools to help your patients quit smoking and prepare them for their surgery.
Smoking cessation in the perioperative period
Stopping smoking really is the best thing anyone can do for their health and to reduce the risk of a bad result after surgery.
The World Health Organization showed that stopping smoking reduces the risk of complications following surgery by 50%.
Stopping smoking improves the blood supply to tissues, so wounds heal better, with fewer infections and lungs work better, with far less need for intensive care. Within hours, the blood is better at carrying oxygen.
Each craving only lasts 90 seconds. The main withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, are reducing by two weeks. There are many options for help, with psychological support, apps, alternative activities, exercise, nicotine replacement options and websites with personalised coaching.
You can do it!
Supporting patients to stop smoking
Below you will find tools and links to resources to help your patients quit smoking and prepare them for surgery.
Additional smoking cessation resources
Advice on physical activity at all stages of children, young peoples' and adults' treatment pathways.
An interactive learning resource for everyone, which enables the delivery of consistent and concise health and wellbeing information and encourages individuals to engage in conversations about their health at scale across organisations and populations.
Tools and tips to help your patients quit smoking and stay on track.
A wealth of resources to help prepare your patients on what they can do to get the best possible outcome from surgery.
A service run by South Tees Hospitals and Public Health South Tees, supporting patients in their fitness, health and wellbeing before a planned operation or treatment.
A blog written by the Royal College of Physicians's special advisor on tobacco on the government's measures to create a smoke-free generation.
