Quit Smoking


Cigarette smokers have plenty of reasons why they should quit. They not only have an increased chance of lung cancer, but also other cancers, such as mouth, lip, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney, stomach, and cervix. Smoking also contributes to heart disorders, circulation and lung disorders, heart attacks, macular degeneration, and strokes. It also increases the risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These lung diseases are usually diagnosed in former smokers when they reach their 60s and 70s, grow more serious, and eventually become fatal.

Based on numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, adult male smokers lost 13.2 years of life to smoking, while women lost 14.5 years.

And if your health is not enough to make you want to quit, at least save your image! Smoking causes premature wrinkling of the skin, yellow fingernails, bad breath, and offensive smelling clothes and hair.

Smoking: Riskier Business for Women

Unfortunately for woman, there are unique risks to being a smoker. Women who smoke are at greater risk for miscarriage and birthing babies at lower weights. Low birth-weight babies are more likely to be impaired, or have complications leading to death.

Never Too Late to Quit Smoking

No matter how long you have been smoking, if you quit you will be healthier and it will help you to live longer. People who quit before age 35 avoid 90% of the health risks from smoking. Those who quit later in life enjoy health benefits no matter the age. And after 12 to 15 years of not smoking, your risk of getting lung cancer drops to almost the same level as non-smokers. Former smokers live longer than continuing smokers, and have decreased risks of cancer.

Why is it So Hard to Quit Smoking?

Nicotine. Nicotine is the drug found in tobacco. It is highly addictive, and over time the body becomes both physically and psychologically dependent on the substance. Nicotine affects many parts of your body's metabolism, and has even been found in breast milk. Nicotine produces the pleasurable feelings that are as addictive as heroin and cocaine. When people try to quit, they suffer nicotine withdrawal with symptoms of dizziness, depression, anger, frustration, restlessness, fatigue, and trouble concentrating. Symptoms can last from a few days to a few weeks, and it is this period of getting through withdrawals that makes quitting smoking so difficult.

Benefits to Quitting Smoking

Aside from being healthier, food will taste better, your sense of smell will return, and you will not be out of breath when you climb a flight of stairs. You will catch fewer colds and save a lot of money that you can invest in something more fun. You will not have to stand outside in the cold to smoke, more people will be interested in dating you, your health insurance premiums will drop, and you will not be putting the health of others at risk with second-hand smoke.

Getting Help

Help is out there for people who really want to quit smoking. There are support groups, and programs that can be tailored to suit your needs. There are a variety of products available to aid in cessation, but be wary of anything that promises instant success, uses injections or pills, or claims ‘secret ingredients'. Also, be skeptical of programs that charge a very high fee or are not willing to provide references.

By Doug Vanisky           


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