Smoking Cessation - Information to educate smokers and non-smokers.

Smoking Cessation will not only save YOU, but will save EVERYONE!

Who smokes?

1) 45.8 million (22.5%) of American adults smoked in 2002, a decrease of 47% from 1965.
2) Prevalence of smoking is higher among men than women. In 2002, 25.2% of men smoked vs. 20% of women.
3) Prevalence of smoking across different racial groups was 40.8% among Native Americans/Alaskans, 23.6% among whites, 22.4% among blacks, 16.7% among Hispanics, and 13.3% among Asians/Pacific Islanders.
4) In 2003, about 22% of high school students were smokers and in 2002 10% of middle school students were smokers.

Why do people start and continue smoking?

1) To reduce stress and relax.
2) Desire to fit in social circle.
3) Family history of smoking.
4) Desire to appear mature, confident, and independent.
5) Nicotine addiction.
6) Smoke advertisements that promote smoking as glamorous, sophisticated, and attractive.

Adverse Health Consequences of Smoking

1) Cigarettes contain over 4800 chemicals of which about 69 of them are cancer causing chemicals such as nicotine, arsenic, ammonia, cadmium, methane, butane, and carbon monoxide. Nicotine is a deadly poison that can be as addictive as cocaine and heroine. Arsenic is rat killing poison. Ammonia can be found in cleaning products. Cadmium is found in batteries. Methane is one of the components of rocket fuel. Carbon monoxide can be found in car exhaust.

2) Cigarrette smoking can create the follwing health problems and more.
     a) Can lead to the development of heart disease- Smoking constricts and damages the blood vessels. Smoking also causes the heart to beat faster, increase the blood pressure, and decrease blood flow. The carbon monoxide in smoking can decrease oxygen supply to the heart and other vital organs like the kidneys and lungs. The result is an elevated risk of suffering a heart attack, hypertension (elevated blood pressure), and stroke.
     b) Smoking can damage the airways and structures involved in gas exchanges. This can cause lung diseases such as lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchitis.
     c) Smoking increases risk of oral cancer, neck cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, and abdominal cancer such as cancer of bladder, kidney, and pancreatic cancer.
     d) Smoking can lead to fertility problems.
     e) Can cause pregnancy complications such as low birth weight, neonatal death, miscarriage, and prematurity.
     f) Can lead to secondhand smoking complications in children such as frequent colds, asthma, allergies, ear infections, pneumonia, and bronchitis.
     g) Can lead to changes in physical appearance such as increased wrinkling, discolored nails, fingers, and teeth.

3) Smoking raises healthcare costs. Smoking costs the United States over $150 billion each year in health-care costs including $81.9 billion in mortality-related productivity loses and $75.5 billion in excess medical expenditures.

4) Cigarette smoking is an important source of morbidity and mortality.
Each year about 440,000 American lives are claimed by smoking related diseases.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking

a) Within 20 minutes, blood pressure and pulse decrease.
b) Carbon monoxide and oxygen levels normalize.
c) Within a day of quitting smoking, your risk of a heart attack decreases by 50%. After 2 years, the risk becomes the same as that of a nonsmoker.
d) Within 2 days, breathing becomes easier and lung function increases.
e) Within 2-3 months, circulation improves and exercise becomes easier.
f) By 9 months, energy improves, lungs continues to regain function.
g) The risk of suffering a stroke decreases to 30-50%.
h) Risk of developing lung cancer decreases by 80-90% after 15 or more years of no smoking.
i) Smell and taste improves.
j) Prevent harm to others from secondhand smoke.
k) Save money.
l) Live longer and better.

How to Quit Smoking

Following are guidelines for quitting smoking from the CDC website.
1. Choose a date to quit smoking.

2. Get Support and Encouragement:

Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help. You can get support in many ways:
?Let family, friends, and co-workers know about your decision to quit and ask for their support. Encourage them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out.
?Talk to your health care provider (for example, doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist, or smoking counselor).
?Seek individual, group, or telephone counseling. This will increase your likelihood of quitting. Call your local health department and local hospitals for information about programs in your area that will assist you in quitting smoking.

3. Learn New Skills and Behaviors:

?Seek activities that will distract any urges to smoke. For example, talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task.
?When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.
?Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book.
?Plan something enjoyable to do every day.
?Drink a lot of water and other fluids.

4. Get Medication and Use It Correctly:

Medications can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke.
?The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five medications to help you quit smoking:
1. Bupropion SR?Available by prescription.
2. Nicotine gum?Available over-the-counter.
3. Nicotine inhaler?Available by prescription.
4. Nicotine nasal spray?Available by prescription.
5. Nicotine patch?Available by prescription and over-the-counter.
?Ask your health care provider for advice and carefully read the information on the package.
?All of these medications will more or less double your chances of quitting and quitting for good.
?Everyone who is trying to quit may benefit from using a medication. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, nursing, under age 18,
smoking fewer than 10 cigarettes per day, or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor or other health care provider before taking medications.

5. Be Prepared for Relapse or Difficult Situations:

Most relapses occur within the first 3 months after quitting. Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit. Here are some difficult situations to watch for:
?Alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking lowers your chances of success.
?Other Smokers. Being around smoking can make you want to smoke.
?Weight Gain. Many smokers will gain weight when they quit, usually less than 10 pounds. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. Don't let weight gain distract you from your main goal?quitting smoking. Some quit-smoking medications may help delay weight gain.
?Bad Mood or Depression. There are a lot of ways to improve your mood other than smoking.
If you are having problems with any of these situations, talk to your doctor or other health care provider.

Ayesha A.Sarpong 4/25/05

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