Traditionally, people associate quitting smoking with national events like Stoptober and New Year’s resolutions, but quitting smoking doesn’t have to wait until then. As the summer holiday season draws to an end and people settle back into everyday routines, late summer can be the perfect time to make positive health changes, such as quitting smoking.
Summer habits are changing anyway
As people return from holidays, festivals, and social events, daily routines change and become more structured; it could be the perfect time to incorporate a quit-smoking attempt into a new routine.
Smoking is often linked to everyday routines, like having a cigarette with a morning coffee, during a work break, or after a meal. When these routines shift, it can be easier to break smoking triggers and habits whilst settling into the new normal and replace them with healthier alternatives.
Late summer offers a fresh opportunity to make a positive change when you’re already adjusting to a new routine, rather than waiting for New Year’s resolutions.
Better weather can support your quit journey
With milder weather and longer days during summer, people tend to be more motivated to stay active. When giving up smoking, cravings can take over, and things like walking, cycling or outdoor hobbies can distract from this.
We are aware that quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, and it can cause stress, but there are ways to manage stress levels. Exercise can improve mood and help manage stress levels during the quitting process, and spending more time outdoors can provide healthy alternatives to smoking breaks.
Feel the benefits before winter
Winter places extra strain on the lungs, with cold weather and seasonal viruses contributing to increased respiratory illnesses and hospital admissions. Smokers are particularly vulnerable, as smoking damages the lungs and is the leading cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)1, a condition that commonly worsens during the winter months. Quitting before colder weather arrives gives lungs time to begin recovering and reduces the risk of serious respiratory complications.
By quitting in late summer, you will have several months of smoke-free progress before winter arrives. Improved circulation and lung function can begin within weeks of quitting smoking2, with people also reporting improved breathing and energy levels, leading to increased overall well-being.
The average smoker in the UK now spends around £250 a month on cigarettes3; that figure could exceed £500 a month for those who smoke 20 cigarettes a day. Quitting in late summer can also boost finances, enabling people to put more money away for the festivities that winter brings.
Support is more accessible than ever
There are various tools and services available to support those who need them during a quit attempt, such as:
- Smoking cessation services,
- Nicotine replacement therapies,
- Support groups,
- Carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring.
People do not have to face a quit attempt alone, and reaching out for support could boost motivation. CO monitoring is a great motivational tool that provides instant feedback on a person’s smoking status.
Smokerlyzer® CO Monitoring range
CO monitoring with the Smokerlyzer® range of devices measures CO levels in exhaled breath. You can track your CO levels with the professional range in clinic or remotely in the comfort of your own home with the iCOquit® home device. CO is a gas inhaled when smoking, and the level of CO in exhaled breath can help distinguish a person’s smoking status. Used as a motivational aid, the Smokerlyzer® range provides instant feedback and helps to motivate a quit attempt. Seeing CO levels drop keeps users engaged and more determined to maintain their non-smoking status.
Start today, not January
Quitting smoking is not easy, and there is no perfect date to quit. However, using the seasonal shift as routines begin to change, could be the motivation needed to start a journey to quit smoking. Quitting smoking in late summer can lead to a healthier, fitter and smoke-free autumn and winter.
To learn more about smoking cessation using CO monitoring tools like the Smokerlyzer®, visit the website here.
References
- World Health Organization. Smoking Is the Leading Cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [Internet]. www.who.int. 2023 [cited 2026 July 9]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/15-11-2023-smoking-is-the-leading-cause-of-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease
- NHS. Quit smoking – better health [Internet]. NHS.UK. NHS; 2020 [cited 2026 July 9]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
- Family [Internet]. Smokefree Sheffield. [cited 2026 July 9]. Available from: https://smokefreesheffield.org/why-quit/family/
