Stop Smoking
It's against the law to smoke in a public place. There's never been a better time to quit!
More and more people are considering giving up smoking – in fact 70% of smokers wish to stop.
Smoking is banned from almost all indoor public places - including pubs, restaurants, night-clubs, trains, buses, shops, sports centres, cinemas and so on. Smoking is also banned in most workplaces so that 99% of workers are in smoke-free environments.
If you are caught smoking in a banned area, you could be fined £50 (your most expensive cigarette ever!).
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I gain weight when I give up smoking?
This is a common concern of people considering giving up smoking - and can be used as an excuse for not giving up.
Once you have stopped smoking, you may rediscover the taste of food (and want to eat a bit more). Also, smoking can reduce the appetite so once you stop, your appetite may increase slightly. Some people do gain weight, some stay the same and others even lose weight.
The risks to your health for being a little overweight are much smaller than the risks due to smoking. And weight can be controlled by a healthy diet and exercise.
When I come to the stop-smoking session, will I be in a group or seen on my own?
Some hypnotherapists work by treating groups - not individuals. If you decide to book an appointment, Dr Davison will see you on your own, ensuring he is focused on you only.
Seeing people on a one-to-one basis allows the therapist to gain an in-depth understanding of your smoking habit and tailor the therapy to you specifically. This is a holistic approach, whereby your current lifestyle as well as your smoking history is used in bringing about the behavioural changes needed in order for you to stop smoking.
How many sessions will I need?
Many people stop smoking after one session and most hypnotherapists work on this basis. My fee includes the 'stop smoking' session as well as two follow-up sessions within 3 months of initial treatment should you require them.
Will my health improve when I've stopped smoking?
Definitely YES.
Your body begins to recover immediately you stop smoking. It is never too late to give up smoking whatever your age. Giving up smoking significantly reduces the risk of a heart attack and a stroke.
The Costs of Smoking and Not-Smoking
Continuing to smoke
The statistics for smokers make grim reading, from both a health and a financial point of view.
a) Health implications
- Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness and early death in the UK.
- 120,000 people a year die of smoking related illnesses (more than 2000 a WEEK).
- A smoker has, on average, 2 - 3 times the risk of having a heart attack than a non-smoker. If you are under 40, then the risk is 5 times greater.
- Smoking 20 cigarettes a day increases the risk of a stroke by 2 - 4 times.
- 30% of ALL cancer deaths are attributed to smoking. Cancers of the lungs, pancreas, kidney, liver, mouth, lips, throat, bladder and stomach are all linked to smoking.
- 80% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking. You have 8 times the risk of a non-smoker of dying from lung cancer if you smoke between 1 - 14 cigarettes a day. That increases to 25 times the risk if you smoke 25 cigarettes a day.
- Smoking is a cause of impotence.
- Each year, 17,000 children under the age of 5 are admitted to hospital because of the effects of passive smoking. By smoking in the presence of children you are forcing them to inhale your smoke. Children copy adults - if you smoke, then your children / grandchildren may do likewise.
- Smoking can affect your appearance too. Smokers are more likely to develop facial wrinkles at a younger age and have dental hygiene problems.
- About half of all smokers will eventually be killed by their habit.
- For more details of the health-related issues connected to smoking, please see the Department of Health website (www.dh.gov.uk)
b) Financial implications
Apart from the health implications there are clearly cost implications as the table shows.
| Number of cigarettes a day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | £68 | £820 |
| 15 | £101 | £1232 |
| 20 | £135 | £1643 |
| 30 | £203 | £2464 |
| 40 | £270 | £3285 |
| (based upon £4.50 for a packet of 20) | ||
£1000 will buy you one packet of cigarettes a day for just 7 months. If you smoke 30 a day, your £1000 will last about 5 months. What else would you prefer to do with your £1000?
These costs are likely to rise as the tax on tobacco products rises year on year in the annual budget.
Deciding to become a non-smoker
On the positive side:
- Giving up smoking reduces the risks of cancers, strokes and heart attacks.
- Your body can recover from the adverse effects of smoking.
- 70% of adults who smoke say they want to stop.
Immediately after you stop, a typical pattern is:-
- 20 minutes: Your pulse and blood pressure should be back to normal.
- 8 hours: Your oxygen levels will probably be back to normal.
- 24 hours: Your body is cleared of the carbon monoxide from smoking, and your lungs begin to clear.
- 2-3 days: The nicotine has left your body. You may notice you can taste food more and your sense of smell increases.
- 3-5 days: Breathing becomes easier. You may notice an increase in energy.
- 2- 15 weeks: Circulation improves.
- 1 year: Risk of heart attack has decreased significantly.
- 10 years: Risk of lung cancer reduced significantly.
The important point is that it is beneficial to stop smoking, whatever your age and however many cigarettes you smoke each day.
You can stop smoking.
The hypnotherapist
Dr Davison trained with the London College of Clinical Hypnosis (www.lcch.co.uk ), gaining a Certificate and Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis. These qualifications are accredited by the University of Greenwich.
He is a member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (www.bsch.org.uk ) and works to their professional Code of Ethics.
As well as qualifications and experience in clinical hypnosis, he has a Diploma (with distinction) in Counselling from the University of Leicester.
He uses his expertise in both counselling and hypnosis when treating people who wish to stop smoking.
Treatment:
You will be seen on a one-to-one basis, not in a group. The session lasts about 2 - 3 hours. Although many people find that a single session of hypnotherapy is sufficient, the fee includes 2 follow-up sessions within 3 months of initial treatment should you need them.
Fee: £120 (cash or cheque only please, no credit cards)
If you wish to book a free 30 minute no obligation session to discuss your situation then please phone
All calls are treated in confidence.
