Smokers ‘struggle with morning cravings’

SMOKERS really struggle with morning cravings with three-out-of-five wishing they felt more upbeat in the morning, new research shows.

Research revealed over 40% of smokers light up within 30 minutes of waking - just over 20% smoking within the first 10 minutes.

All smokers opt for a cigarette upon waking with 36% describing it as a strong desire.

Almost 40% of smokers found it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, compared to less than 25% of non-smokers.

Nearly half of smokers felt tired when they woke up and almost a third felt irritable. One-in-five felt restless or anxious, 10% felt shaky and 16% felt “nervy or tetchy.”

GP Dr Stephen Murphy said the NiQuitin CQ research, published just before Wednesday’s National No Smoking Day, was further evidence of the challenges in quitting with many smokers suffering withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

“Nearly half of smokers feel tired upon waking which means they are not getting a good night’s sleep, possibly due to nicotine withdrawal,” he said.

“Cravings can be particularly strong in the morning as nicotine levels deplete while the smoker is sleeping. Many smokers would benefit from a nicotine replacement patch which would really help stave off morning cravings,” he said.

Smoking is believed to prematurely age skin by between 10 to 20 years, with smokers aged in their 40s having as many facial wrinkles as non-smokers in their 60s.

But even smokers who want to quit for health and appearance reasons find it extremely difficult to stub their last cigarette out.

As well as adding extra years to a smoker’s appearance it takes around 15 years from a smoker’s life span.

Smoking is responsible for 90% of all lung cancers and is a major cause of many other cancers.

About 7,000 deaths every year are smoking related with smoking causing 25% of deaths from coronary heart disease and 11% of all stroke deaths.