Messages encouraging smokers to quit could be added to cigarette packs. A draft proposal with the suggestion is being considered by the Government. According to the Department of Health, these inserts will highlight the financial and health benefits of giving up smoking and the support available to those trying to quit. The Department of Health hopes the inserts – which have already been used in other countries including Canada and Israel, with Australia also planning to introduce them – could lead to an additional 30,000 smokers giving up, saving up to £1.6 billion in health costs. Smoking is still one of the most preventable causes of illness and death in the UK, with around 76,000 people dying from it every year, according to NHS figures. The consultation launched on Monday and will be running until October. In the meantime, it’s always a good time to try and stop smoking, and focusing on the positive outcomes can help you stay on track too. Here are some of the financial and health benefits of quitting smoking… More disposable income Smoking costs around £17.3 billion a year across England overall, according to the latest 2023 economic data analysis commissioned by public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). This includes a significant cost to the NHS and social care, with smoking-related admissions and primary treatments reportedly costing £1.9 billion yearly. However, quitting smoking could make a significant difference to people’s individual pockets too – a major incentive to beat the habit. Especially right now, with the cost of living so high. According to Everyone Health, if you get through 20 cigarettes a day, with a packet of cigarettes costing £13.30, that’s a spend of £93.10 per week, or £4,841.20 per year. The average smoker may smoke a bit less than that per day, but this could still add up to serious money. “The average smoker can save around £38 a week by quitting smoking, that’s £2,000 a year, according to the NHS,” said Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist at Chemist Click. What could you do for yourself and your family with that extra money? Better mental and physical healthThe good news is, evidence suggests quitting at any point in life leads to big improvements in your health, including increased life expectancy and lower disease risk. “Stopping smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health,” said Kanani. “Quitting smoking improves your physical health, and boosts your mental health and wellbeing after as little as six weeks of being smoke-free. Every time you smoke a cigarette, your body is flooded with thousands of chemicals, many of which are poisonous. “The day you stop, your body starts clearing itself of all those nasty toxins and the repair process begins. People who have quit also have increased positive mood compared with people who continue to smoke,” Kanani added: “Longer-term risks of cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke will be significantly reduced too. You will also be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, bone disease including osteoporosis, eye disease and dementia.” Improved blood circulation “The blood circulation to your heart and muscles can improve, which will make physical activity easier and improve lung function, which leads to reductions in any cough, wheezing or other breathing problems,” continued Kanani. All of this will have a knock-on effect on how energised you feel day-to-day, as well as contributing to better general health in the short and long term. Improved sense of taste and smell Being able to taste and smell food better is another huge bonus to quitting smoking. George Sandhu, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, said: “There are a number of almost immediate benefits to stopping smoking, including healthier teeth and gums, fresher breath, and improved sense of taste and smell. In the longer term, you’ll probably find your breathing will improve, and ultimately you’ll probably end up living a longer, healthier life.” Protecting your loved ones from second-hand smoke Second-hand smoking or ‘passive smoking’ is dangerous too. According to the NHS, most of the smoke from a cigarette goes into the air around you and not your lungs – therefore it’s those around you or nearby that will breath it in. And as the World Health Organisation (WHO) highlights, tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. “Quitting means you’ll protect your loved ones from the potential health harms of second-hand smoke too,” said Kanani. If you would like support to help you quit smoking, talk to your GP or local pharmacist. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Is it ever safe to sunbathe? A beginner’s guide to pickling your homegrown fruit and veg Mother tried to cure son of disease by putting him in a hole as a child

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Apparently most people are drinking their coffee completely wrong – and you’d better believe it, because it’s according to an Italian chef. Italian coffee lover Nadia, who has more than two million followers on her Instagram account The Pasta Queen, had a message for followers in her latest video. As an off-camera voice asked if she wants to have a cappuccino, she rolled her eyes and said: “No. It’s past 12.” Italians don’t drink cappuccinos after midday, she explained, adding: “It’s a breakfast drink.” “It's frothed milk! It’s good to awaken your senses before 10. If you really want to push it, 11. But not after 12.” She adds that when you’re eating a meal, “you’ve got enough going on” in your mouth and your stomach. “All you need is a quick espresso,” she said. “It’s like an American having a hot dog for breakfast.” However, some people seem not to appreciate being told when to drink their favourite coffee. Beneath the video some commenters were bewildered by the instruction. One person said: “I ordered a cappuccino in Italy, the waiter said no.” One viewer said: “I will continue to have my cappuccino morning, noon and night! I will especially continue to ask for a cappuccino after dinner when travelling in Italy just so I can p*** off the waiter.” Another said: “I am Italian and know of this ‘rule’ yet it did not phase me… I still ordered my cappuccinos in the afternoon and watched several natives enjoying one as well… It’s just steamed milk with espresso? Not sure what the big deal is? I say drink what you want, when you want. Respectfully.” However, others decided to trust the expert and sided with Nadia. A person commented: “You underestimate the power of Americans having just about ANYTHING for breakfast including last night’s leftovers.” It seems, as with most things food-related, the Italians know best. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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Max Verstappen clinched the Formula One world drivers’ title after finishing second in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix. Here, the PA news agency looks at the Dutchman’s season and overall record in numbers. 3 – Verstappen has wrapped up his third world title. 11 – he is the 11th driver to win the title three times or more, and only the fifth to do so in successive years. 10 – along the way Verstappen produced a record-breaking run of 10 consecutive race wins, from the Miami Grand Prix in May to September’s Italian GP. 13 – his overall win tally this season, from 16 races. He has finished second twice, and fifth in Singapore. 407 – Verstappen’s points tally. 184 – lead over second-placed Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez. 10 – pole positions. 7 – fastest laps. 2 – sprint race wins. 48 – Verstappen’s career win total ranks fifth in F1 history. He has the chance to climb to fourth or even third by the end of the season, with Alain Prost winning 51 races and Sebastian Vettel 53. 6 – clinching the title in the Qatar sprint race means Verstappen did so with six grands prix remaining, equalling Michael Schumacher’s record from 2002. Read More Angry Lance Stroll shoves personal trainer and storms out of interview Max Verstappen fastest in Qatar practice as he closes in on world championship Fernando Alonso lauds Max Verstappen as best F1 driver since Michael Schumacher Fernando Alonso lauds Max Verstappen as best F1 driver since Michael Schumacher Max Verstappen’s best moments as he wins 2023 F1 world title Max Verstappen seals 2023 F1 world championship in Qatar

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