World Smokefree May is about celebrating being smokefree and working towards smokefree/ auahi kore lives for New Zealanders.

Find out more about World Smokefree May in New Zealand.

World Smokefree May is the perfect opportunity to encourage and help those who want to quit smoking and support friends and whānau on their quit journey.

Having cravings for a cigarette is one of the most common symptoms when you quit smoking. Physical activity is a great way to help distract you and keep you busy until the craving passes. Withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes decrease during physical activity and up to 50 minutes after exercising.

Studies show that even short periods of physical activity - especially aerobic exercise - reduce the urge to smoke. Aerobic exercise is any activity that makes you sweat, causes you to breathe harder, and gets your heart beating faster. Walking, swimming, running, dancing, cycling, and boxing are a few examples of aerobic activity. 

Plus quitting will making your workout performance better too as your heart rate will decrease, your blood circulation will increase, and your lung function will improve.

Getting active can also help ease your stress, give you more energy, and also improve your mood. Take a walk, jump rope, or run up and down the stairs if you’re feeling low.

You could also support others family or friends who are trying to quit smoking. This could be by getting active with them or going to smokefree places like parks or sports grounds.

Physical activity also decreases appetite and helps limit the weight gain some people have when they quit smoking.