As World No Tobacco Day approaches on May 31, health experts are encouraging Hawkesbury residents who smoke to consider quitting, reminding older Australians that giving up cigarettes brings health benefits at any age.
While smoking rates across Australia have steadily declined over the past 50 years thanks to stronger public health campaigns and growing awareness of the dangers of tobacco, thousands of Australians, including many seniors, continue to smoke and often find it difficult to stop.
World No Tobacco Day, led by the World Health Organization, aims to raise awareness of the health risks associated with smoking and encourage people of all ages to quit.
For many older Australians, smoking began during a very different era when cigarettes were widely advertised, socially accepted and even promoted as glamorous, while the long-term health impacts were poorly understood.
Health experts say the good news is that the body begins repairing itself almost immediately after quitting, regardless of age.
According to the Australian Government’s HealthDirect service, heart rate begins to drop within 20 minutes of quitting smoking, while circulation and breathing can improve within weeks. Over time, the risks of heart disease, stroke, lung disease and cancer are significantly reduced, even for people who stop smoking in their 60s, 70s or later in life.
The federal Department of Health also states that quitting smoking at any age can improve quality of life, increase life expectancy and reduce the risk of premature death.
Many older Australians who quit report practical day-to-day improvements including less coughing and breathlessness, better sleep, increased energy and improved mobility.
For Hawkesbury seniors, particularly those living in rural and semi-rural communities where access to healthcare can involve significant travel, improving respiratory and cardiovascular health can play an important role in maintaining independence and wellbeing.
Health professionals acknowledge quitting after decades of smoking can feel overwhelming, but stress that support is available and effective.
Options include nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, gum and lozenges, as well as support through Quitline on 13 78 48, which offers free confidential advice tailored to individual circumstances.
General practitioners and pharmacists can also help develop personalised quitting plans and prescribe medications where appropriate.
Experts say some smokers may find gradual reduction more manageable than quitting abruptly, and people who seek professional support are generally more successful than those trying to quit alone.
Beyond the health benefits, quitting smoking can also ease financial pressure as the cost of cigarettes continues to rise, while reducing reliance on medications and improving overall quality of life.
Health advocates say World No Tobacco Day serves as an important reminder that it is never too late to quit, and that even small steps toward stopping smoking can deliver meaningful health improvements for older Australians and their families.
