STOP SMOKING AND LIVE LONGER

​​Smoking: It’s Never Too Late to Stop 

I was having a discussion with a client whose wife is bitter about his smoking habit and this next statement shocked the life out of me. 

He said, Aunty Muna, “but I’ve smoked three packs of cigarettes a day for about 5 years and I am fine, so what’s the point quitting now?” Wow. That is suicidal bro but no matter how long you have been smoking, quitting still improves your health. If you quit smoking, you are likely to add years to your life, breathe more easily, and save some money. you will also Lower your risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke, and lung disease. you will have better blood circulation, you will Improve your sense of taste and smell, you will Stop smelling like smoke or burnt grass and you will Set a healthy example for your children and grandchildren.

Smoking shortens your life. It causes about 1 of every 5 deaths each year. Smoking makes millions of people sick by causing lung disease. Smoking damages your lungs and airways, sometimes causing chronic bronchitis. It can also cause a disease called emphysema that destroys your lungs, making it very hard for you to breathe. Smoking increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Smoking can lead to cancer of the lung, mouth, larynx (voice box), esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix. 

If you smoke, you are more likely than a nonsmoker to get the flu (influenza), pneumonia, or other infections that can interfere with your breathing. 

If you smoke, your chance of developing osteoporosis (weak bones) is greater. 

Smoking affects your sexual life.

Nicotine is the drug in tobacco  that makes tobacco products addictive. People become addicted to nicotine. That’s one reason why the first few weeks after quitting are the hardest. Some people who give up smoking have withdrawal symptoms. They may feel grumpy, hungry, or tired. Some people have headaches, feel depressed, or have problems sleeping or concentrating. These symptoms fade over time while Some people have no withdrawal symptoms. 

Breaking the Addiction Josephine remembers she started smoking in high school because she wanted to be part  of the “cool” crowd. That was more than  50 years ago. Now, she wishes she had never started. She has trouble breathing, many of her clothes have burns from cigarette ash, and her grandchildren complain she smells like burnt grass. But, she wonders if she’ll be able to stop after all these years. Many people say the first step to stop smoking is to make a firm decision to quit and pick a definite date to stop. Then make a clear plan for how you  will stick to it. Your plan might include: 

1. Talking with your doctor 

2. Setting a quit date, when you stop smoking completely 

3. Developing a plan for dealing with urges to smoke 

4. Reading self-help information 

5. Asking a friend for help 

6. Taking medicine to help with symptoms of nicotine withdrawal 

7. Replacing your urge with drinking water.  

Find what works best for you. 

Using many approaches to quitting may be  the answer.

When you quit, you may need support to cope with your body’s desire for nicotine. Nicotine replacement products help some smokers quit. You can buy gum, patches, or lozenges over-the-counter. There are also products that require a doctor’s prescription. A nicotine nasal spray or inhaler can reduce withdrawal symptoms and make it easier for you to quit smoking. Other drugs may also help with withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what medicines might be best for you. 

Cigars, Pipes, Chewing Tobacco, and Snuff Are Not Safe Some people think smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco and snuff), pipes, and cigars are safe. They are not. Smokeless tobacco causes cancer of the mouth and pancreas. It also causes pre-cancerous lesions known as oral leukoplakia, gum problems, and nicotine addiction. 

Pipe and cigar smokers may develop cancer  of the mouth, lip, larynx, esophagus,  and bladder. Those who inhale are also at increased risk of getting lung cancer. 

Secondhand Smoke Is Dangerous; Secondhand smoke created by cigarettes, cigars, and pipes can cause serious health problems for family, friends, and even pets of smokers. Second- hand smoke is especially dangerous for people who already have lung or heart disease. In adults, secondhand smoke can cause heart disease and lung cancer. In babies it can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Children are also more likely to have lung problems, ear infections, and severe asthma if they are around secondhand smoke. 

Good News About Quitting; The good news is that after you quit: 

Your lungs, heart, and circulatory system will begin to function better. 

Your chance of having a heart attack mreduces

Your chance of getting cancer will  be lower. 

No matter how old you are, all of these health benefits are important  reasons to make a plan to stop smoking. 

Peter’s doctor told him he needed to quit smoking. Then, when his 16-year-old daughter asked him to stop smoking, he decided to try. Whenever he felt the urge to smoke, he ate carrot sticks or chewed gum instead. Sometimes, he would take a brisk walk until the urge to smoke passed. The walk had the added benefit of helping him lose some weight and become more active. A year later, he’s proud of his success, and his daughter’s smile makes it all worthwhile. PLEASE STOP SMOKING NOW...