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Check out the hard stats about smoking. You'll find that
quitting is possible-and more important than ever.
- Nicotine is an addictive drug,
which when inhaled in cigarette smoke reaches the brain faster than drugs
that enter the body intravenously. Smokers become not only physically addicted
to nicotine, but also link smoking with many social activities, making smoking
a difficult habit to break.
get motivated to quit
- Each year about 1.3 million smokers quit successfully. With good smoking
cessation programs, 20 to 40 percent of participants are able to quit
smoking and stay off cigarettes for at least one year.
- In 1995, an estimated 44.3 million adults were former smokers. Currently,
prescription and over-the-counter products are available to help relieve withdrawal
symptoms people experience when they quit smoking.
- The Surgeon General’s Report states that after 1 year off cigarettes,
the excess risk of heart disease caused by smoking is reduced by half.
In 5 to 15 years, the risk of stroke for ex-smokers returns to the level
of those who've never smoked. Male smokers who quit between ages 35 to
39 add an average of 5 years to their lives. Female quitters in this age
group add 3 years.
helping someone quit
- Studies have shown that smokers have a better chance of quitting if they
have the moral support of peers and family. Healthcare providers, co-workers,
peers, and especially family members can help give you the resources and emotional
support you need to quit.
smoking & your health
- Smoking-related diseases claim an estimated 430,700 American lives each year.
- Cigarettes contain at least 43 distinct cancer-causing chemicals. Smoking
is directly responsible for 87% of lung cancer cases and causes most cases
of emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking is also a major factor in coronary
heart disease, stroke, and asthma.
- More than 22 million American women are smokers. Lung cancer will cause
an estimated 67,000 female deaths in 1998, compared with 43,500 estimated
female deaths caused by breast cancer.
- Smoking by parents is also associated with a wide range of adverse effects
in their children, including exacerbation of asthma, increased frequency of
colds and ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome.
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