Every year, ‘Love Your Lungs Week’ aims to raise awareness about lung health by encouraging everyone to take better care of their respiratory system. Held by Asthma+ Lung UK (previously the British Lung Foundation), the event took place in late June, and shines a spotlight on common issues such as asthma, COPD, and the effects of air pollution. Active Luton are a big supporter of Lung health and believe that quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you will ever make for your lung health, especially as lung disease is one of the UK’s top causes of death and disability. This is why we run our Total Wellbeing Stop Smoking programme to help support your journey to better health.
Take that first step towards healing your body
Whether you have been thinking about quitting for awhile or you are just starting to consider it, ‘Love Your Lungs Week’ is the perfect time to take that first step. Quitting smoking is one of the best health choices you can make, and you will notice how your body will begin to heal almost immediately after your last cigarette.
How our Stop Smoking Programme helped a long-term heavy smoker
Form any people, they may have smoked since they were incredibly young and this was the case for Caddington resident, Christopher Gadsby. He started at the tender age of eight and is now 63 - a total of 55 years smoking! Christopher’s journey to quit smoking began back in 2020, during the pandemic, when like millions of others he was advised of the extra risks to his health as a smoker from Covid.
Being a heavy smoker (20 cigarettes a day), he tried first with the patches, but with no success. Following this, he tried to contact the NHS for help, but didn’t receive the support required. It was not until January 2025, when he was walking through Luton Point, that he saw the pop-up stand for our Total Wellbeing Stop Smoking Programme and saw the words ‘We can help you’.
After speaking to the team, Izabela Kaminska, our Senior Healthy Lifestyle Specialist (Stop Smoking Specialist) contacted Christopher to start him on the programme. He was given the 2-week starter pack and managed to give up smoking for a week in February. Unfortunately, he had a 7- day delay from being given his next prescription at the Doctors to obtaining the medication from the pharmacy, which meant he started smoking again!
Being determined to finally break his smoking cycle, Christopher re-started the programme, and we are proud to announce that he is now 12 weeks free from smoking after 55 years.
Christopher cannot speak highly enough of Izabela and the team and says “I cannot recommend or thank Izabela enough, as without her I would not have persevered.”
What are the benefits of quitting smoking?
If you are still on the fence, here are some powerful reasons to kick the habit:
1.Your body begins to heal immediately - After 20 minutes: Your heartrate and blood pressure drop, after 12 hours: carbon monoxide levels in your blood return to normal, after 2-12 weeks: circulation improves and lung function increases and after 1 year: your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half.
2.Breathe easier - Smokers are more likely to develop chronic bronchitis and emphysema, so, when you quit, your lungs start to clear out mucus and debris and make breathing easier and more comfortable.
3.Protect loved ones - Second-hand smoke is harmful, especially to children and people with existing respiratory issues, so quitting protects the people around you.
4.Save money - Smoking is expensive, and the average smoker spends thousands of pounds a year on cigarettes.
5.Improve mental wellbeing - Many people report reduced stress and anxiety after quitting, so, freeing yourself from addiction can bring peace of mind and confidence.
6.Lower risk of disease - Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Giving up significantly reduces your risk over time, and it is never too late to see the benefits.
Quitting smoking is tough, but you do not have to do it alone
Take a moment to think about your lung health and if you smoke, consider planning to quit. If you have already quit, celebrate how far you have come as it is a fantastic achievement! Every breath you take is a chance to live better, longer, and stronger. You have the power to reclaim your health -one breath at a time.
How our Total Wellbeing Team can help you
Our supportive 12-week programme combines behavioural support and up to 4-6 weeks of treatment using stop smoking aids. Our highly qualified Stop Smoking Specialists will work with you to provide customised medication options, motivation and goal-setting guidance to ensure a smooth transition during the early stages of your quit journey. We offer face-to-face appointments at multiple locations across Luton, and you can find out more at: www.activeluton.co.uk/health-wellbeing/nhs-stop-smoking-service
If your are ready to make a quit attempt, our Total Wellbeing Stop Smoking Team can help you, please do get in touch:
Text QUIT to 60066*
Tel: 03005554152
Email us: info@totalwellbeingluton.org
*Standard network rates will apply.