Quitting is hard to do. Many people will try many times before they actually quit. But they do succeed.
Why should I quit smoking?
- Smoking causes cancer of the lungs, mouth and throat
- Smoking causes heart disease
- Smoking causes emphysema and/or COPD
- Smoking increases the risk of strokes
- Smoking causes poor circulation
- Smoking causes diabetes complications
What are other good reasons for quitting?
- You will live longer
- You will have more energy
- You will breathe easier
- You will lower the risk of a stroke and cancer
- You will save money
Tips to stop smoking
- Make the commitment to quit. See if you are ready to quit by taking this quiz.
- Set a date for quitting and stick to it
- Get rid of all ashtrays, cigarettes and lighters
- Stay in nonsmoking areas
- Tell your family and friends. That way they can support you
- Find ways to reduce stress
- Keep yourself busy
- Ask your provider about medication to help you quit smoking
Keep your kids safe from smoke
- Do not smoke in your home
- Do not smoke with your children in the car
- Choose childcare workers who do not smoke around your children
- Do not spend too much time indoors where anyone is smoking
- If you or anyone in your family smoke, you may also think about quitting
What happens after you have smoked your last cigarette?
- After 20 minutes, blood pressure drops to normal.
- After eight hours, the carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal.
- After 48 hours, you can smell and taste better.
- In one to nine months, coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and the shortness of breath you feel decreases.
- After five years, the chance of dying from lung cancer is cut to almost half.
- After 15 years, the risk of heart disease is equal to that of a nonsmoker.