The Benefits of Quitting Smoking

If you smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products, you no doubt have heard of the risk they pose to your health. Smokers face an increased risk of premature death and disability from heart attack, lung cancer, lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and stroke, among other ills. Being overweight also increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, creating a health-risk double whammy when smoking and overweight are combined. But no matter how long you have been a smoker, it's never too late to quit and start reversing the damage tobacco use can cause.

If you need more inspiration, here are some additional benefits of quitting smoking:

• Reduced risk of mouth, throat, esophageal, bladder, and cervical cancer
• Reduced risk of peripheral artery disease (impaired circulation to the lower body)
• Fewer signs of premature aging of the skin
• Fewer breathing problems and coughs
• Fewer colds and other illnesses
• More energy
• Elimination of smoking odors and mess
• More money
• More control over your life

While quitting smoking is difficult, today there are more treatments and resources to help you do it than ever before. Talk to your doctor about your options, which include nicotine replacement patches or gum, behavioral therapy, support groups, and prescription medications like Zyban and Chantrix. There is excellent help and advice available at no charge from the National Network of Tobacco Cessation Quitlines at 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669) and from the following Web sites:

• www.smokefree.gov
• www.cdc.gov/tobacco
• www.quitnet.com

As with other healthy lifestyle changes, like eating better or exercising regularly, the desire to make this change needs to come from you. If you don't feel you can make a firm decision to stop smoking, try making a list of the pros and cons that tobacco adds to your life. Ponder the negative aspects of smoking, and imagine the positives you'd gain by quitting. Start to visualize your life minus tobacco. This type of self-examination can often help you build motivation to take the next step.