Smoking, Women’s Health and the Power of Quitting
As part of our 2026 Smoking cessation programme funded by Torbay Council’s smoking cessation fund, we were joined by Joanna, a holistic health coach for women, for a session exploring the link between smoking, women’s health and long-term wellbeing.
Joanna brought both professional insight and personal experience to the conversation, sharing that she was once a smoker herself. While it is not something she is proud of, she is proud to say that she quit 14 years ago and has never started again.
Her message was honest, encouraging and powerful: no one is perfect, change is possible, and it is never too late to take steps towards better health.
Smoking can affect women’s health in many different ways. During the session, Joanna helped raise awareness of how smoking may impact menstrual health, fertility, pregnancy, menopause, heart health, bone health, skin and overall wellbeing.
For women, smoking has been linked to irregular periods, shorter menstrual cycles and more painful menstruation. It can also affect fertility, with smokers more likely to experience difficulties conceiving and, in some cases, lower success rates during IVF.
Smoking during pregnancy can also increase health risks, including miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and stillbirth. These are difficult topics to talk about, but raising awareness can help people make informed choices and access support when they need it.
Joanna also highlighted the wider effects smoking can have on women’s health over time. Women who smoke may reach menopause earlier, which can increase the risk of health concerns such as heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and metabolic disorders.
Smoking is also linked with a higher risk of heart disease, reduced bone density, increased fracture risk and earlier osteoporosis. For women who smoke and use birth control pills, there can also be a higher risk of blood clots and stroke.
Alongside internal health, smoking can also affect the skin. Reduced collagen and blood flow can contribute to premature wrinkles, dullness and slower wound healing, which is another reminder of how deeply smoking can affect the body.
But the most important message from Joanna’s session was one of hope.
Having quit smoking herself, she reminded us that change is possible. Quitting does not have to happen perfectly, and it does not have to happen alone. Every small step towards becoming smoke-free matters, and it all adds up, even if it may not seem like it at the time.
If you are currently smoking, support is available. Whether you are thinking about quitting, preparing to stop, or trying again after a previous attempt, you are not alone.
Our Quit Smoking Together programme has now come to a close, but you can still watch our smoking cessation videos and access helpful resources through the Melville Community YouTube channel.
You can also contact Your Health Torbay for free local stop smoking support, including one-to-one guidance and advice on the options available to help you on your journey.
Useful links:
Melville Community Smoking Cessation YouTube Playlist
Your Health Torbay Quit Smoking Support
Stopping Together Podcast
