3 Free Apps To Help You Quit Smoking

With millions of free apps in the reach of your fingertips, you can find an app for just about everything, including apps to help you quit smoking. We tried three free apps and now we want to share with you what we discovered!

1) Smoke Free

Our first pick of the apps to help you quit will greet you with a simple and clean design. The dashboard will show you the amount of time you have been a non-smoker for, money saved (which can be automatically linked with money saving app called Chip), your health improvement, progress and achievements. You have an option to share all of these on social media.

The diary feature lets you keep track of your cravings and money spent on NRT/e-cigs. You can also comment on each of the entries. Your cravings can be tracked by a graph in the cravings tab, which also includes quit tips. On the bottom of the page you can find recommendations for counselling therapists, prescription treatment or even games you can download on our phone to distract you from a craving.

You can mark your completed “missions” on another tab. 8 of these missions are free, but you can get over 30 if you upgrade to Pro version. There is also a tab that contains badges which you get for each day you stay Smokefree. The Smoke Free app is available for both Android and Apple iOS.

2) QuitNow!

The QuitNow! App will greet you with a funky colourful design full of funny illustrations. At first, it will ask you to fill up how many cigarettes you used to smoke a day, what is the price of a cigarette pack and the time you quit. You can also back up all this data on Facebook. The home page is split into sections. On the top of the page, you will see how much time you have been Smokefree, how many cigarettes you avoided and how much money you have saved. Another interesting stat will tell you how much time you “won back” by not smoking.

Underneath that, you can see your achievements. There are many achievements like saving up for a weekend trip or being a non-smoker for two weeks. Each of the achievements is accompanied with a funny illustration that unlocks once you have complete your “mission”.

The community is probably what makes this app unique from the other two apps to help you quit. Once you have created your own profile, you will be able to access a chat. There you can talk with other people that are in the same situation as you. The community seems to be active, so it is very possible that you will find people that can help you out.

The health page will show you all the good physical effects that quitting smoking had on your body with simple bars that fill up over time. This app is free, although it will nag you to buy a pro version and unlock more features. You can download it on Android or Apple iOS.

3) Kwit

Last one from apps to help you quit that we are reviewing has a clean and rather minimalistic design. On the top of the first page, you can see round icon with your achieved level (starting as a Novice). If you click at the tiny icon on the left from it, it will give you a quick quit tip. Underneath you will see bars with health, wellbeing, time, money and cigarettes not smoked.

Your dashboard will show you the time you have been a “kwitter”, cigarettes not smoked and money saved. All this information can be shared on social media. Achievements are split into Health, Wellbeing, Time, Money and Cigarettes. These have levels and unlock automatically with time. There is another tag called Willpower, but this one is only for Pro users.

It doesn’t seem to keep track of cravings and there doesn’t seem to be anything keeping track of e-cigarettes or cigarettes smoked while you tried to quit, so it seems that it will be most useful for those quitting cold turkey and wanting just a bit more motivation. This App is for Android and Apple iOS.

Which of these apps to help you quit will work best?

There are many more apps to help you quit that you can find. It is completely up to you which one will fit you the best. These three seem to have the best, cleanest and most intuitive design. They also have many free features, although you may choose to pay a little bit of money and get a pro version (Smoke Free offers Premium Version for free for 7 days!) This seems to be much better than some other free apps that will annoy you with pop up adverts every time you click on something.

But which one to choose then? We would recommend Smoke Free for those that love statistics and graphs. Smoke Free is also the only one that lets you make diary entries which allows you to make notes and map your progress in your own words. It is also the only one that allows you to keep track of money spent on NRT or e-cigarettes and helps you to keep track of cravings. The only downside is that it doesn’t let you engage with the community such as the QuitNow! app which can be a disadvantage. Some people might also find QuitNow! more uplifting because of the funny illustrations it offers.

All of these apps to help you quit are for free, so you can just get them for your phone and decide for yourself which one works the best (it may not even be one of those three!). And if you do find some of the apps helpful, feel free to share your success with us on our Instagram or Facebook

ASH Wales Welcomes New Plan to Improve Respiratory Health in Wales

A new respiratory health plan launched today by Wales’ Health Secretary Vaughan Gething has been welcomed by tobacco control charity ASH Wales.

The updated plan outlines work to improve smoking cessation services and support to better diagnose Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, known as COPD. A life-limiting disease, 90% of cases are due to smoking. There is an estimated 57,000 people in Wales with the condition, which doesn’t usually develop until someone reaches their 40s to 50s.

A number of other lung conditions can be caused by smoking or can be exacerbated – asthma, cancer and persistent chest infections – and support for these is also included within the plan which was launched today at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

Suzanne Cass, Chief Executive of ASH Wales Cymru, said: “With an estimated 57,000 COPD sufferers in Wales, this plan is a huge step forward in better supporting those with this illness and helping others to be diagnosed timely, so they can receive the right treatment they need and sooner.”

“The best possible thing for anyone’s lungs is to quit smoking, or for a non-smoker, to stay away from others smoking around them. Quitting smoking isn’t easy but there’s free support advice out there, including Wales’ Help Me Quit service.”

The Help Me Quit service and website offers tailored advice specific to the needs of would-be quitters. To find out more call 0800 085 2219 or visit helpmequit.wales

Never Too Early, Never Too Late – World Asthma Day

Today marks the 20th annual World Asthma Day, held each May to raise awareness of asthma worldwide.

Organised annually by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), the theme of this year’s World Asthma Day is “NEVER TOO EARLY, NEVER TOO LATE. It’s always the right time to address airways disease”. The theme provides a call to action for patients and healthcare providers and places emphasis on an individual’s choice; important due to the fact that as a health condition, asthma cannot be cured but can be controlled by bringing in a few lifestyle changes.

The connection between smoking and asthma and its impact is evident when we consider 28% of asthma deaths in the UK occur as a result of smoking or being exposed to second-hand smoke. Research shows that tobacco smoke damages the cilla in the lungs, these are tiny hairs that sweep irritants away such as dust, smoke and pollen. Tobacco smoke also contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including carbon monoxide. It is the carbon monoxide which makes it harder for oxygen to circulate round the body.

Since 2007, smoking in indoor public places has been prohibited by law in the UK.  It is still possible however for non- smokers to be exposed to second-hand smoke in the home, in outdoor workplaces, in private vehicles or in outdoor social settings. Research has shown asthmatics are most at risk when exposed to second-hand smoke in small enclosed spaces such as bedrooms, living rooms and cars, due to a high concentration of toxic pollutants in one space. ASH Wales are currently running several campaigns to limit the harm caused and health implications which arise as a result of second-hand smoke with focus on its impact on the next generation in particular. Smokefree Homes, Smokefree School Gates and Smokefree Beaches are just a few of the campaigns which address this issue.

Studies have shown children are particularly vulnerable to second-hand smoke as they breath more rapidly and will inhale more pollutants per pound of their body weight. Babies and children also take more smoke into their lungs as they are still growing and their immune system isn’t full developed yet. Asthma UK warn parents that small children exposed to tobacco smoke are likely to have respiratory infections and wheeze, and are more likely to develop asthma later in life. ASH Wales’ Smokefree Baby & Me is a targeted campaign looking to reduce the number of women smoking in during pregnancy. According to a report by the Royal College of Physicians pre-natal smoking will increase a child’s risk of developing asthma by 90% during the first two years of their life.

In line with the campaign, it is never too early or too late to stop smoking, whether it is for yourself or your children. Free NHS help and support is available via Help Me Quit or call 0800 085 2219.

How You Can Keep Your New Year’s Resolution To Quit Smoking?

Quitting smoking is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. If you have decided to quit smoking starting next year, look at these quit tips that will help you to make your determination last.

Reward Yourself

Now that you’ve worked at your New Year’s resolution to quit smoking, it is time for a reward. Because buying tobacco is burning a hole in your pocket, it can be quite surprising how much money you can actually save. Use that to treat yourself for your accomplished efforts.

Make Plans and Take Notes

Buy a diary to write down your quitting goals. Make them clear, relevant and time-bound. Planning will help you keep track of your steps, and support long-term success in quitting smoking. Somewhere along the line you will look back and see what you have already accomplished. Make a list of your motivations to quit. In addition, you can check out our Quit Tips for inspiration.

Get as Much Support as You Need

Remember, you are not alone. Turn to your family and friends for advice. If you feel any difficulties or just need to share your progress with someone, contact us here, on our Facebook or Instagram

Don’t Have Too Many Expectations

When you are making your New Year’s resolution to quit smoking, it is very tempting to tell yourself: “I will never have any cigarette after 1st of January.” And although quitting cold turkey may work for many, sometimes it can be too overwhelming and as a result, we can feel like our goal is too hard to manage and stop in our efforts. Instead of doing all at once, try to break your journey into bite-sized portions. If you are a heavy smoker, maybe start with lowering the number of cigarettes you smoke per day.

Put Yourself In Charge

While people around you such as friends and family can help you, it is you who decided to give up smoking. Maybe one of your reasons to quit was that you didn’t want the addiction to control your life? Did you also know that smokers die on average 10 years earlier than non-smokers? If you wonder how being smokefree will change your body, check out our quitting timeline. Any amount of days that you have managed not to smoke is already doing good for your health. The responsibility for your future is in your own hands.

Don’t Give Up

Someone once said “It is not a shame to fall down. It is a shame not to get back up.” Some ups and downs will be inevitable and any change in life seems like a lot to manage in the beginning. Maybe you will not always stick to the plan completely. But don’t let this be a reason to stop trying altogether. Forgive yourself, get up and try again.

ASH Wales Welcomes the British Medical Association’s New Position on E-Cigarettes

The British Medical Association (BMA) has published a new position statement on the use of electronic cigarettes to quit smoking.

The statement, released on Wednesday 29th November, takes into consideration policy changes in the UK due to the European Tobacco Products Directive and the ever-emerging evidence on the effects of e-cigarettes on health, especially in comparison to traditional cigarettes.

The BMA’s renewed position statement says; “Significant numbers of smokers are using e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes), with many reporting that they are helpful in quitting or cutting down cigarette use. There are clear potential benefits to their use in reducing the substantial harms associated with smoking, and a growing consensus that they are significantly less harmful than tobacco use.

“With appropriate regulation, e-cigarettes have the potential to make an important contribution towards the BMA’s ambition to achieve a tobacco-free society, leading to substantially reduced mortality from tobacco-related disease”.

Steven Macey, Research and Policy Officer for ASH Wales, said; “Consistency of message is so important when it comes to health, especially around emerging and popular topics such as with e-cigarettes. The ongoing debate about the merits of e-cigarettes has led to continuing uncertainty among the public and healthcare professionals with regards to their usage – the BMA’s statement helps to allay these concerns.

“Public health messaging must convey the fact that using an e-cigarette is significantly less harmful to health than smoking conventional tobacco cigarettes and, as a result of this, e-cigarettes should be promoted as a viable smoking cessation option for smokers wishing to kick their deadly habit.”

BMA’s key points include:

  • Growing consensus that e-cigarette usage is substantially safer than smoking tobacco
  • Unlike smoking, e-cigarettes do not combust – the harmful part of tobacco use. E-cigarette vapour may contain some toxicants, they are typically present at levels which are much lower than in tobacco smoke
  • E-cigarettes currently available are consumer-regulated products which have to meet product safety standards, but the standards are not as rigorous as for licensed medicines
  • Given the limited time for which e-cigarettes have been widely available, there is limited information about the long-term health impact of their use

How Does Second Hand Smoking Harm Your Pet?

We already know that second-hand smoking can be harmful to the people around us, but sometimes we forget about our furry, feathered and scaly friends – our pets. They are the ones that spend the most time in our homes and they have usually smaller lungs than humans, which is making them more vulnerable.

How smoking harms your pet?

We are constantly influencing pets with our habits, smoking being one of them. It is true that smoking harms your pet as it can bring them a lot of diseases including heart problem, cancer or nicotine poisoning. Let’s have a look at what does smoking and pets really mean.

Cats are notorious for their grooming habits. Instead of having a shower like us humans, they lick themselves throughout the day to keep clean. Someone that is smoking and pets his or her cat directly after without washing hands ends up rubbing harmful chemicals directly onto cat’s hair.

The smoke from cigarettes sticks to the furniture and then to cat’s fur. Cats lick off these substances during grooming which can result in deadly oral cancer.

A study published in 2002 has shown a bigger chance of developing a malignant lymphoma (a form of cancer) in cats exposed to second-hand smoke opposed to those living in smokefree households.

Dogs don’t like cigarettes.

Nicotine is a toxic substance that seriously harms your pet if ingested. In just one cigarette, the amount of nicotine can cause various health problems, particularly for small dogs. The signs of nicotine poisoning include seizures, odd behavior, vomiting, diarrhea or tremors.

As dogs are likely to chew on anything, it is advisable to keep nicotine products out of their reach. If you suspect your pet might have suffered a nicotine poisoning, seek veterinary help immediately.

Birds deserve clean air.

The smoke that comes out of a cigarette contains thousands of chemicals that mix with the air your pet breathes. Many of them are known to cause cancer. The amount of harmful substances is even higher in second-hand smoke than amount the smoker is inhaling directly.

A bird’s respiratory system is different to ours. It is slower than that of mammals of similar size and more effective in transferring oxygen. This also means that birds breath in more toxins and are sensitive to air pollution as a result.

Smoking around your parrot also causes smoke to fall down on its feathers. This can lead to feather plucking, a harmful habit that is hard to get rid of.

What about rabbits, fish, guinea pigs…?

No animal is safe from the health risks caused by second-hand smoke (inhaling fumes from someone else’s cigarettes) and third-hand smoke (smoke sticking and falling on home furniture, fur etc.).

You can make certain precautions to help them lead a healthy life and lengthen their life span. You can even save money on vet bills by not smoking at home. We suggest you step outside to smoke and wash your hands before cuddling with your furry friends.

However, sometimes smoking harms your pet  no matter how much you try to eliminate the risks, so you may still want to consider quitting as the best option. Pets can be a great help when it comes to tackling cravings. Having nice long walks with your dog or cuddling a cat can both help to keep your mind off cigarettes. And remember – a smokefree pet is a happy pet.

Sources: http://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/can-pets-get-cancer-owners-smoking
https://www.petfinder.com/cats/cat-health/pets-and-second-hand-smoke/ https://www.livescience.com/7378-secondhand-smoke-cancer-pets.html