The large majority of smokers want to stop smoking but need help to do so permanently. The health consequences of smoking are appalling and costly but can be reduced by quitting smoking at any age. Smokers need to accept the responsibility for continuing to smoke and must take the initiative to join or develop a personal smoking cessation program if they want to gain longer and healthier lives.
The Terrible Health Effects of Smoking
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and is responsible for:
- 20% of deaths each year in the U.S.
- 90% of lung cancer deaths in men
- 80% of lung cancer deaths in women
- 90% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- increasing the risk of coronary heart disease by two to four times
- increasing the risk of stroke by two to four times
- increasing the risk of men developing lung cancer by 23 times
- increasing the risk of women developing lung cancer by 13 times
- increasing the risk of dying from chronic obstructive lung diseases by 12 to 13 times
In addition, smoking causes the following cancers:
- acute myeloid leukemia
- kidney cancer
- pancreatic cancer
- bladder cancer
- cancer of the larynx (voice box)
- cancer of the pharynx (throat)
- cancer of the cervix
- lung cancer
- stomach cancer
- cancer of the mouth
- cancer of the esophagus
- cancer of the uterus
Anyone can see from the lists above that smoking is extremely dangerous to one’s health.
The Benefits of Quitting Smoking
There are dramatic and rapid health benefits once a person has quit smoking. These benefits include:
Within one week:
- blood pressure and heart rate drops to normal
- carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal
- risk of heart attack declines
- senses of taste and smell improve
- breathing becomes easier and lung capacity increases
Within one year:
- mucous in the lungs loosens and lung function and circulation improve
- blood flow to the arms and legs improves and lung function increases up to 30%
- lungs are healthier, breathing gets even easier and the quitter gets fewer colds
After one year the risk of sudden death from a heart attack is reduced by almost 50%.
After five years the lung cancer death rate decreases by nearly 50%.
Within 10 to 15 years the risk of heart attack and stroke declines to nearly that of a non-smoker and the risk of cancers drops significantly.
Other important benefits of smoking cessation include the amount of money saved on cigarette purchases and the health of others affected by one’s smoking.
Designing a Personal Smoking Cessation Program
A smoker’s doctor should be able to help design a smoking cessation program and prescribe any medications that might be a real help. Beyond that, there are several good resources available to help those who want to stop smoking. These include:
- the online Quit Guide at smokefree.gov
- The American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking program
- The American Cancer Society
- health insurance companies
- employers
- local hospitals
Doing a bit of research both online and by phone could help match people with appropriate smoking cessation programs that are effective in helping smokers quit.
Support Plan a Must to Stop Smoking
From “Nicotine Anonymous” to family and friends, support is important for many people in their efforts to stop smoking. Group counseling or other support groups are available, both online and often locally, too. Also, having a plan to handle smoking urges along the way is important before quitting. Such a plan might include the following tactics:
- drinking a glass of water
- going for a walk
- chewing a stick of gum
- exercising
- eating an apple or other piece of fruit
Having daily conversations with supporters can help a quitter by providing frequent doses of positive reinforcement along the way.
Stop Smoking Now for a Happier Life
Studies have shown that quitting smoking at any age improves health outcomes. Smoking is the number one cause of preventable early death, and is responsible for many diseases and huge costs to individuals, families and society. Those who stop smoking now will help increase their chances of living longer, healthier lives. There is plenty of support available to the four out of five smokers who say they want to quit.
Sources:
cdc.gov, "Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking" (accessed February 23, 2010)
tobaccofreeutah.org, "The Benefits of Quitting" (accessed February 23, 2010)
cancer.org, "Guide to Quitting Smoking"(accessed February 26, 2010)
Robert McKelvie - My experience in business and pursuit of learning over the years enables me to share some of my knowledge via the web.
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