For the 42 million Americans who smoke cigarettes, choosing a "quit date" is a decision that helps commit to breaking a smoking habit. Each November, the American Cancer Society provides the perfect day for that: the Great American Smokeout.
Since 1976, the Great American Smokeout has taken place on the third Thursday of November, falling this year on Nov. 19. It offers that quit date for those ready to take the step of conquering addiction and beginning a smoke-free life, according to literature from the American Cancer Society.
Smoking cessation represents the single most important step smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives, says the U.S. Surgeon General. On average, compared to people who have never smoked, smokers suffer for years with more health problems due to their smoking and ultimately die earlier-- by a decade or more-- than nonsmokers. Smoking causes 480,000 American deaths each year.
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. As of 2013, there were also 12.4 million cigar smokers and 2.3 million who smoke tobacco in pipes, also dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco. Among the military, smoking varies significantly by service with the U.S. Marine Corps holding the highest rate of smoking at 30.9 percent, the Army coming in second with 26.7 percent, Navy at 24.4 percent and the Air Force with 16.7 percent, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Making the decision to quit smoking is one that only the smoker can make, and the decision should begin with thinking about why you want to quit. Do you know someone who has had health problems because of smoking? Are you worried you could get a smoking-related disease? Are you spending too much money on the habit? All literature about nicotine addiction concur: it is difficult to stop smoking. However, since 2002, there have been more former smokers in the United States than there are current smokers.
There are many stop-smoking programs designed to help smokers along the smoke-free journey, to include websites with tips and advice, telephone hotlines, and even a tobacco cessation class Tuesday afternoons at the Wellness Center located at the health clinic on Caserma Ederle. For more information on smoking cessation, contact your primary health care provider at the health clinic or any of the following:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office on Smoking and Health, www.cdc.gov/tobacco
QuitNet, www.smokefree.gov
American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org or www.everydaychoices.org
American Lung Association, www.lungusa.org
American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org
There are also apps that smokers who want to quit can download for both iPhone and Android devices. According to Men's Fitness magazine, the top five best quit-smoking apps are Livestrong MyQuit Coach; Stop Smoking -- Mindfulness Meditation; Quit Smoking; Quit Now!; and KickSmoking. Quit for Life is another app for quitting support. *Mention of these organizations and apps does not imply government endorsement, and the lists are not all-inclusive.
Benefits over time for smokers who quit
20 minutes after quitting: Heart rate and blood pressure drop.
12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal.
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Circulation improves and lung function increases.
1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker.
5 years after quitting: Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder are cut in half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a nonsmoker. Stroke risk can fall to that of a nonsmoker after 2-5 years.
10 years after quitting: The risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking. The risk of cancer of the larynx (voice box) and pancreas decreases.
15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.
These are just a few of the benefits; quitting smoking lowers the risk of diabetes, lets blood vessels work better, and helps the heart and lungs. Quitting while younger will reduce health risks more, but quitting at any age can give back years of life that would be lost by continuing to smoke.
(Information regarding benefits over time from quitting compiled by the American Cancer Society from various U.S. Surgeon General reports)
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