Bupa recently surveyed 2,202 people with almost half of those surveyed saying they believe that that they were influenced to start smoking or continue smoking by television and movie actors who smoke on screen, the report by Bupa calls on the global movie industry to take greater responsibility in promoting an anti-smoking message by portraying it more realistically.

The survey conducted across Europe, the Middle East and Australasia found that moviegoers just didn’t believe that characters showing no outward signs of the physical addiction caused by smoking, being short of breath or the life-threatening illness like cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Furthermore, over half (54%) say that the movie industry goes so far as to actually glamorise smoking when the inconvenient truth is that one in two people who smoke die because of it.

Dr. Fiona Adshead; Chief Wellbeing and Public Health Officer at Bupa talks though the research below

If you’re interested in stopping smoking, take note of our tips below. There is evidence to show that using a stop smoking service, which provides either one-to-one or group support, can greatly increase your chance of succeeding.

Whatever method you use to quit smoking, there are plenty of things you can do to try to make it easier.

• Find a temporary substitute for smoking, such as chewing gum or drinking a glass of water each time you want a cigarette.
• Change your routine to stay away from situations where you would usually have a cigarette. If you usually associate smoking with socialising, you might find it easier to stop if you don’t go to the pub for the first couple of weeks. If you smoke at work, it might be helpful if you tell your work colleagues that you’re stopping so they don’t invite you out for cigarette breaks during the day.
• Know your triggers and stay away from them if possible. So if you usually have a cigarette with a glass of wine in the evening, try having a different drink or going out for a short walk instead.
• Make a list of the reasons why you want to stop and carry it with you. Read through it when you have a craving and remind yourself why you’re stopping.
• Set targets and reward yourself when you reach them. Why not save up the money you would have spent on cigarettes and use it to go out for dinner or even to pay for a holiday?
• Remember that the only reason you feel better when you have a cigarette is because you’re feeding your withdrawal symptoms.

Your body gets rid of nicotine in as little as 24 hours after your last cigarette. This means that your withdrawal symptoms can be intense for the first few days, but you will feel better after the third or fourth day. Trying to cut down gradually will increase how long this withdrawal process lasts.

Something else to consider is speaking to your GP who may be able to prescribe you a medicine to help you stop smoking. Always ask him or her for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine. These medicines are most likely to be helpful if you’re also taking part in a support programme to help you stop smoking. Although you may get some temporary side-effects, it’s worth reminding yourself that the possible long-term health risks of continuing to smoke are far worse and the long-term benefits of quitting are huge.