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Quitting Smoking

WHY SHOULD YOU QUIT SMOKING NOW?

There are many reasons why you should quit smoking. Smoking hurts your health and the health of those around you. The cost of smoking for you and for society is very high, and smoking can hurt your social life and your relationships with those close to you. A smoker has higher costs for health and life insurance and health care due to tobacco-related problems. Studies show employees who smoke cost businesses because they are out sick more frequently. Smoking is less socially acceptable now more than ever.

Ex-smokers enjoy a higher quality of life and have fewer illnesses like colds and the flu, lower rates of bronchitis and pneumonia, and feel healthier than people who smoke. Quitting smoking also will lower your risk of diabetes, your blood vessels will work better, and your heart and lungs will be stronger and more efficient. Quitting while you are younger will reduce your health risks even more, but quitting at any age can give back years of life that would be lost by continuing to smoke.

TIPS

After Quitting

Avoid temptation: Stay away from people and places where you are tempted to smoke. Later on you will be able to handle these with more confidence.

Change your habits: Switch to juices or water instead of alcohol or coffee. Choose foods that don't make you want to smoke. Take a different route to work. Take a brisk walk instead of a coffee break.

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WHY IS IT SO HARD TO QUIT SMOKING?

Nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine.  When smokers try to cut back or quit, the lack of nicotine leads to physical withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal is also hard mentally, because the smoker is faced with making a major change in their behavior. Both the physical and mental factors must be addressed for the quitting process to work.

Quitting smoking is not easy, but you can do it.

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