NHS says do this now for 'almost immediate health benefits'

The NHS is urging people to do one thing to "experience health benefits almost immediately". The health service regularly shares medical advice on its social media feeds, and on X on Sunday morning it urged people to do "the best thing for your health".

The post reads: "Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. When you stop, you'll experience health benefits almost immediately! It's never too late to quit." Further information provided explains that after eight hours of quitting, a person's oxygen levels recover and the harmful carbon monoxide level in the blood will have reduced by half.

After three days, people will likely notice that breathing feels easier, because tubes in the lungs have started to relax. Energy also increases at this point.

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After two to 12 weeks, circulation will improve too, meaning exercise is easier. After three to nine months, wheezing or other breathing issues will improve as lung function increases by some 10%.

After a year, your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with that of a smoker's. And after a decade, your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker's.

Thousands of people across the UK are expected to quit smoking this month as part of Stoptober. NHS guidance continues: "Even if it's your first time or you've tried before, now is the perfect time to quit smoking. Make it to 28 days smoke-free and you're 5 times more likely to quit for good."

The NHS website offers free tools and resources, including the option to create a personalised "Personal Quit Plan". You can find out more here