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Know About Stop Smoking Programs In UK
Almost 106,000 people die each year due to smoking in UK. Among all the smokers, almost half die due to smoking related diseases. In UK, 8 out of 10 non-smokers live past 70 years of age, but only half of smokers live past 70.These are some alarming facts related to the habit of smoking in UK.

In the light of above facts, the UK government has passed a legislation which has come into existence from 1st of July this year. It bans smoking in enclosed public and work places. This new legislation will put a positive effect on persons willing to quit this habit, but face difficulty in doing so. Now, they will have to look for certain places to smoke instead of just lighting up anywhere. For violating the law, a fine of 50 pounds will have to be paid.

About 75% of the residents of UK are non-smokers, and this new legislation is going to benefit the businesses like pub and clubs where earlier these non-smokers didn't use to go. But, the owners of these pubs and clubs have to pay 2,500 for every violation of the law. The government is also planning to fine those parents who smoke in front of their children even inside their houses. Now, the target of UK government is to bring the percentage of smokers down from 25% to 5%.

There are many smoking programs available that help one quit smoking

1. Cold Turkey method ? This program deals with stop smoking abruptly. In this method person deprives himself of tobacco at once. But, it has the lowest success rate of just 5% after 6 months.

2. Nicotine replacement therapy ? Also known by the name of NRT. It supplements the nicotine intake by using nicotine patches, nasal sprays, and inhalers. Nasal sprays, gums, and inhalers produce a nasty taste in the throat. Its success rate is also very low, near about 10%.

3. Zyban or Wellbutin is another program which increases the result up to 10% when taken alone. But, if taken in combination with NRT, its success rate increases to 20% after 6 months.

4. Varenicline, also known as Chantix or Champix, is introduced recently in the market. These are pills taken by the quitters. Studies have shown that success rate is as high as 20% after 6 months.

There are some other quit smoking programs like Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming. The British Medical Association has published that some of these programs have success rate of as high as 70%.

As a result of the stop smoking programs in UK, the smoking percentage has gone down. In 1972, half of the total adults used to smoke. By 1990, the number came down to just under a third. And, at present, just quarter of adults smoke in UK.