Overview
You Can Quit Smoking!
There's no way around it. Smoking is bad for your health. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. Cigarette smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. It is also responsible for many other cancers and health problems. These include lung disease, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke and cataracts. Women who smoke have a greater chance of certain pregnancy problems or having a baby die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Your smoke is also bad for other people - they breathe in your smoke secondhand and can get many of the same problems as smokers do.
You Can Quit Smoking!
Nicotine is the psychoactive drug in tobacco products that produces dependence. Nicotine dependence is the most common form of chemical dependence in the United States.
Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking
People who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk of dying prematurely. Benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, but cessation is beneficial at all ages.
Smoking cessation lowers the risk for lung and other types of cancer. The risk for developing cancer declines with the number of years of smoking cessation.
Risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease is reduced after smoking cessation. Coronary heart disease risk is substantially reduced within 1 to 2 years of cessation.
Cessation reduces respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The rate of decline in lung function is slower among persons who quit smoking.
Women who stop smoking before or during pregnancy reduce their risk for adverse reproductive outcomes such as infertility or having a low-birth-weight baby.
PLAN AHEAD OF YOUR COMMITTED QUIT DATE FOR GREATER SUCCESS!
Preparation Tips 5 Days Before Your Quit Date:
Think about your reasons for quitting.
Tell your friends and family you are planning to quit.
Stop buying cigarettes.
4 Days Before Your Quit Date
Pay attention to when and why you smoke.
Think of other things to hold in your hand instead of a cigarette.
Think of habits or routines to change.
3 Days Before Your Quit Date
What will you do with the extra money when you stop buying cigarettes?
Think of who to reach out to when you need help.
2 Days Before Your Quit Date
Buy the nicotine patch or nicotine gum.
Or see your doctor to get the nicotine inhaler, nasal spray, or the non-nicotine pill.
1 Day Before Your Quit Date
Put away lighters and ashtrays.
Throw away all cigarettes and matches.
Clean your clothes to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke.
Quit Day
Keep very busy.
Remind family and friends that this is your quit day.
Stay away from alcohol.
Give yourself a treat, or do something special.
Smoke Free: Congratulations!!!
If you "slip" and smoke, don't give up. Set a new date to get back on track.
Call a friend or "quit smoking" support group.
Eat healthy food and get exercise.
For More Help
For help in quitting smoking, call the National Cancer Institute's Smoking Quitline.
Toll-free: 1-877-44U-QUIT.
Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of these problems. The earlier you quit, the greater the health benefit.
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