World No Tobacco Day: "All it takes is one smoke"

Sunderland female shares her tobacco-free journey.

"I spend £20 weekly on tobacco", Andrea.

As the world commemorates "World No Tobacco Day," 27-year-old Sunderland resident shares her journey to becoming smoke-free.

Andrea Nastase reveals that it only took her first cigarette to become addicted, a habit that lasted for 10 years.

She shares her story to inspire those in the process of quitting and advises others never to start smoking.

Ms. Nastase said: " I started smoking when i was 16- 17 years old due to peer pressure. I wanted to be part of the cool kids at school. For years, I thought it was just a habit, something I could stop whenever I wanted. But it wasn't until I saw the impact it was having on my health and my family that I realised how wrong I was.

"Smoking tobacco has significantly impacted my health. As an asthmatic, I struggle with walking long distances, and my breathing and stamina are severely affected. My sleep patterns are also disrupted. Additionally, smoking is very expensive. I spend £20 a week on cigarettes, money that could have been better spent on something more beneficial.

"I regret every cigarette I ever smoked. But I decided to change. I chose to quit. And it hasn't been easy. The cravings, the withdrawals, the constant battle in my mind. But I am doing this for myself, for my family, for my future."

Andrea said this is her second attempt to quit smoking, and she is excited and optimistic about getting it right this time.

World No Tobacco Day is a yearly celebration that informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies.

The Member States of the World Health Organisation created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.

Meanwhile, a report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that smoking is the leading cause of premature, preventable death worldwide. Every year, it claims 8 million lives globally,

According to the NHS, in England alone, over 80,000 people die from smoking-related illnesses.

"Smoking damages the heart and blood circulation, making smokers more prone to heart disease and strokes. The risks of stomach cancer and ulcers increases dramatically.

"It ages the skin prematurely by 10 to 20 years, as the lungs suffer immensely—persistent coughs, colds, wheezing, asthma, and worse. These aren't just minor inconveniences; they are signs of serious, life-threatening damage".