Five Facts That May Inspire You to Quit Smoking

If you could take one step to dramatically improve your health within one day, would you do it? Quitting smoking is that one step.

Consider these stats from the American Cancer Society (ACS). Within the first few minutes after quitting, your heart rate drops. Within 24 hours to a few days, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop to normal.

Those are only the immediate effects. One to 12 months after quitting, you’ll experience less coughing and shortness of breath. In the years that follow, your health will continue to improve. You’ll decrease your risk for heart attack, heart disease and many types of cancer, to name just a few health benefits.

In honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we’re sharing tips to help you quit for good.

Success Through Support

“Quitting smoking isn’t easy,” said Renee Wolf, a health coach with ThedaCare who works with people to help them stop smoking. “But with the right resources and support in place, it’s within reach.”

In providing resources through ThedaCare and the American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking® program, Wolf has seen firsthand the power of what people can accomplish.

“I worked with someone recently who quit for the first time after they had smoked for over 20 years and tried everything,” she says. “Working with them, they were able to quit and stay tobacco free.”

Quit Hits

In honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Wolf shares some key facts around smoking cessation.

1. More than lung cancer alone: Quitting smoking decreases many health risks.

When you think of the biggest health risks associated with smoking, lung cancer may come to mind first. Of course, smoking is the biggest risk for developing lung cancer. But the benefits of quitting don’t stop there. Quitting smoking decreases your risk for developing many diseases and conditions.

These include:

Several types of cancer, including but not limited to: acute myeloid leukemia, bladder, cervical, colorectal, esophageal, kidney, liver, lung, oral, pancreatic, stomach and throat
Lung disease: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, asthma and pulmonary fibrosis
Heart and vascular disease: heart attack, stroke and heart failure
Fertility issues
Type 2 diabetes
Premature aging

2. You’ll look and feel better and enjoy life more.

When you quit smoking, you will not only improve your health, your life will also improve in other ways.

Wolf recounts more about the person she recently supported in quitting.

“They mentioned within the first month they could breathe better, their taste buds changed in a good way, and they didn’t smell like tobacco,” she said. “They no longer need to worry about showering and changing before seeing their grandkids.”

The ACS also cites these among the benefits of quitting:

Money savings: a person who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day may spend up to $3,650 per year on the habit
Improved health for those around you through avoiding secondhand smoke
Food tastes better
Sense of smell returns to normal
Breath, hair and clothes smell better
Teeth and fingernails stop yellowing
Everyday activities leave you less out of breath

3. Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative.

All types of tobacco and nicotine are unsafe. These include e-cigarettes, pipes, cigars, hookahs, heat-not-burn cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Many of these products contain the same harmful chemicals as cigarettes, according to the ACS.

Some manufacturers may claim smokeless tobacco products offer a way to quit smoking. This is not a proven or safe option. Smokeless tobacco products contain about the same amount of nicotine as cigarettes, as well as more than 25 chemicals known to cause cancer, the ACS states.

Cancers linked to smokeless tobacco include head and neck, pancreatic, and esophageal. The form of tobacco also is tied to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as early delivery and stillbirth when used during pregnancy.

Oral problems associated with smokeless tobacco include leukoplakia, a gray-white patch in the mouth that can become cancer. In addition to causing bad breath and staining teeth, tobacco can cause swollen, irritated gums, tooth decay and cavities.

4. When it comes to quitting, support makes all the difference.

Nicotine is highly addictive, making quitting challenging. Nearly 70% of people who smoke say they want to quit. Yet, fewer than one in 10 successfully kick the habit each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Seeking the help of a health professional can dramatically increase the odds of success,” Wolf said. “That could be working with your primary care physician or enrolling in our smoking cessation program.”

People who receive a combination of counseling and medication are the most likely to successfully quit smoking, the CDC reports.

5. It’s never too late to quit.

While quitting at an earlier age is better, stopping at any age will lead to immediate and long-term health benefits.

People who quit smoking can add as much as 10 years to their life, compared to people who continue to smoke, according to the ACS.

Current and former smokers should follow the guidelines for lung cancer screening, which is done through a low-dose CT scan.

According to the American Lung Association, you may be eligible for screening if you meet the following criteria:

Are between 50-80 years of age
You have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (this means one pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years, etc.)
You currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years

Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure of whether you meet the criteria.

Ready to Quit? What to Expect

With support through ThedaCare and the American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking program, you can develop skills designed to help you give up tobacco for good.

You’ll learn about:

How to know if you’re really ready to quit
Medications that can increase your success
Lifestyle changes to make quitting easier
How to prepare for your quit day
Coping strategies for managing stress and avoiding weight gain
Developing a new self-image
How to stay smoke free for good

The seven-week, eight-session program through ThedaCare is offered virtually for a cost of $50.

“Quitting can feel daunting,” Wolf said. “The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. Connect to support and resources to see what a difference they can make for you.”