Cut Back smoking and mental health awareness connected to quitting

What’s the link between smoking and mental health?

If you’re a smoker and would like to give up or cut back, you might be worried about the impact that’ll have on your mental health. 

There are some surprising statistics on the connection between smoking and mental health. And they might not be what you imagine!

The connection between smoking and mental health

As you smoke, does it give you the feeling of reducing your anxiety, stress or depression? 

The reason for this is nicotine. This chemical in cigarettes provides temporary relief from many mental health symptoms. It stimulates the release of dopamine – the natural chemical that makes you feel happiness and pleasure. 

This tricks your body into thinking that smoking is helping you relieve stress or feel less anxious. But the effect is short-lived. 

As the nicotine leaves your bloodstream, your original feeling returns. And your body craves the dopamine burst from a cigarette. This is how your body becomes dependent on smoking. And why it feels like smoking helps you cope with mental health challenges.

Smoking makes mental health challenges worse

In fact, nicotine use worsens mental health challenges in the longer term. Because nicotine interferes with the dopamine system, it causes your body to make less of it over time. So your baseline mood becomes lower. And you need more nicotine in order to get the same feeling, leading you to smoke more heavily and become addicted.

In addition, nicotine also reduces the effectiveness of some mental health medications, leading many individuals to need higher doses. This increases the risk of having side effects, which in turn can have an impact on emotional health.

NHS advice and World Health Organisation research show that smoking actually increases anxiety and tension. And that, if you’re a smoker and you have a diagnosed mental health condition, you:

• are much more likely to smoke than the general population
• tend to smoke more heavily
• die on average 10 to 20 years earlier than those who don’t experience mental health problems – and smoking plays a major role in this reduced life expectancy
• need higher doses of some antipsychotic medicines and antidepressants because smoking interferes with the way these medicines work

“But what if I quit or cut back?”

In the long run, stopping or cutting back on smoking has huge positive effects on your mental wellbeing.

Studies show that, when people stop:

• Anxiety, depression and stress levels are lower
• Quality of life and positive mood improve
• The dosage of medications used to treat some mental health conditions can be reduced

In fact, the NHS states that stopping smoking can be as effective as taking antidepressants for those experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

However, it’s important to remember that you may experience mood fluctuations in the short-term, as you change your smoking habits.

Support for giving up smoking and supporting mental health

Giving up or cutting back on smoking isn’t without its challenges. You may experience withdrawal symptoms and temporary fluctuations in your mental health. So it’s important to get the right support in place before you make any changes. 
At Essex Wellbeing, we offer a free, tailored Stop Smoking service to local residents. This builds a Stop Smoking plan around each person’s needs, meaning you’re more likely to get the support you need to quit or cut down on smoking. In addition, we can offer mental and emotional health support alongside this service. As well as physical health checks and other lifestyle management services.

Essex Wellbeing Stop Smoking service

Our Stop Smoking service offers:

• Personalised coaching and support from practitioners to identify and manage your smoking triggers
• A stop smoking programme built around your needs and preferences
• Access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy options such as patches, gum, inhalators, lozenges, and mouth sprays
• Online seminars like Allen Carr’s Easyway, providing drug-free methods for you to quit smoking
• Collaborations with local vape shops if you’re considering e-cigarettes as a transitional tool
• Opportunities for open conversations about mental health, in a stigma- and judgment-free space
• Support to develop non-medical techniques to support mental wellbeing, such as mindfulness and stress reduction strategies

Before you begin, remember: 

• If you’re not as successful as you want to be this time, you’re still learning new skills for next time. The more comfortable you are using the support available, the better prepared you’ll be for stopping or reducing smoking next time.
• If you take antipsychotic medicines or antidepressants, it’s important you talk to your GP or psychiatrist before you stop smoking. The dosage of these medicines may need to be monitored and the amount you take might need to be reduced.
• If you’re worried that you or someone else may be in a mental health crisis, reach out for support.

Start a conversation about smoking and mental health

If you, a friend or family member are experiencing symptoms of poor mental health and are currently a smoker, talking about it can make all the difference. Initiatives such as Time to Talk Day encourage open conversations about mental health. In 2025, Time to Talk Day is 6 February. But you don’t have to wait until an awareness day comes around to start the conversation: a simple “would you like to talk?” or “can I share something with you?” could make a huge difference to someone today.

Talk to someone you trust about any concerns about your mental health, giving up smoking, or how smoking and mental health impact each other. Or speak to us at Essex Wellbeing Service to find out how we can support you.

Cut back or quit for mental wellbeing

Giving up or cutting back on smoking is not only great for your physical health, it’s hugely beneficial for your mental health too. With the right support for both stopping smoking and your mental wellbeing, you can quit or cut back and take care of your mental health at the same time.  

If you’re thinking about making changes to your tobacco use, get in touch with us and find the support you need.