Smokers are 5 times more likely to suffer from a heart attack in their 30s and 40s than non-smokers. Smoking related illness kill 40% of smokers before they reach retirement. Quitting smoking is the most powerful health measure a smoker can take. Risk is directly associated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day.

The toxins in tobacco find their way into the bloodstream, which intern affects every organ and tissue in the body. It damages the blood corpuscles, the nervous system and causes poor circulation.

Smoking puts extra strain on the body and puts it in a weakened state which can lead to serious illnesses such as lung cancer, emphysema, bronchitis, oesophagus cancer, bladder cancer, heart disease and ulcers. Smoking can make symptoms of other conditions such as arthritis, the menopause, osteoporosis and male impotence worst.

By quitting smoking, within weeks you will regain your sense of smell and taste, the lungs will improve causing less shortness of breath and wheezing, within two years the risk of an heart attack has halved, within three years the risk of a heart attack has regain to that of a non-smoker and within ten years the risk of lung cancer has halved.

Try quitting smoking by using methods such as nicotine replacement therapy, hypnosis, exercising, using artificial cigarettes and eating wild oats which will help to reduce cravings.

The following supplements may help if you are quitting smoking.

Antioxidants

Copper

Kava kava

Magnesium

Multivitamin and minerals

Selenium

St Johns wort

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Zinc