Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many diseases and reduces quality of life and life expectancy so stopping is the single best thing you can do to improve your health.

We know that giving up can be tough but when you see the drastic improvements to your life and health, you'll want to set your action plan going as quickly as you can.
Here are just a few reasons:

• You will save money – as much as several hundred pounds, if you are a heavy smoker
• Within just 2 days of stopping, you’ll start to feel fitter and have more energy
• You will reduce your risk cancer and heart, lung or gum disease
• The appearance of your skin and teeth will improve
• You will reduce the chances of your children suffering from asthma or glue ear
• You will improve your fertility levels and your chance of a healthy pregnancy and baby

Help Available for Smokers in BFG

All medical and dental centres have trained staff to support people wanting to stop smoking. In most regions, medical staff run smoking cessation clinics to offer support and advice through one to one and/or group sessions, depending on where you live.

Whilst serving overseas you are also entitled to free prescriptions of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), which can double your chances of quitting successfully.

Take action before you are posted back to the UK
Smoking in the UK is really expensive. Giving up 20-a-day could save you up to £175 a month (retailer newsagent October 2009).

So if you want to quit, don’t wait any longer. Contact your local medical centre to enrol in a smoking cessation clinic. 

Having a drink is part of everyday life for many of us – and for most people, drinking in moderation won’t cause any long term harm.

Unfortunately, too many people in BFG drink too much, too often and we think you should understand the risks involved.

Loss of control, sickness and impotence are well known immediate problems from drinking too much. You are also putting yourself at a greater risk of catching sexually transmitted infections or being involved in a road accident.

Longer term health risks from alcohol include liver and heart disease, stomach ulcers, stroke, infertility, dementia and brain damage.

Drinking too much can damage an unborn child, lead to more risk of cancer (including breast cancer), and is also often linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

If you think you or a member of your family drinks too much, seek advice from your doctor.

Keep your weight within the healthy range (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9), and you'll not only feel better, you also reduce your risk of heart disease, stoke and some cancer.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a way of seeing if you are underweight, overweight or a healthy weight. It involves comparing your weight to your height by dividing the weight measurement (expressed in kilograms) by the square of the height (expressed in meters).

BMI = Weight (kg) / Height x Height (cm)

If you have well-developed muscles, you may find that you will fall into the category of overweight on the body mass index calculator (and the height/weight chart), when in fact you may have a healthy body shape and very little fat. This is why waist measurement is also important.

Waist measurement
	Increased risk	High risk
Men	94-101 cm and above 37-39 inches	102 cm 40 inches and above
Women	80-87 cm and above 32-34 inches	88 cm and above 35 inches and above

To get a clearer picture of your overall health risk, you might find it useful to download our BMI/waist measurement assessment tool. 

If you would like a little extra help and support then look out for Weight watchers and Slimming world clubs which run in the region. Also weight management clinics are now being set up and run in medical centres. 

And remember, the best way to lose weight is to do it slowly and sensibly, this way you will lose more weight in the long run and keep it off for good!