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Smart Ways to Live Well
Quitting Bad Habits

Most of us have developed a bad habit or two throughout our lives.  One of the toughest habits to break is smoking. 

This November 18th join millions of Americans as they register for the Great American Smokeout.

Now is the time to quit not only for your health, but your family's health as well as your financial health!

Why Quit?

Smoking can cause much more than just lung cancer.  It increases your risk of emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Both of which can be detected in young people - not just later in life. Each year smoking results in thousands of premature deaths and not just smokers. Second hand smoke is responsible for close to 40,000 deaths a year.

 

Benefits of quitting:

  1. Within the first 20 minutes of quitting, the healing process begins and will continue to improve your health and your quality of life for years to come!
  2. Your food and your breath smells better
  3. Quitting cuts the risk of cancer and other diseases
  4. Saves you money - a pack-a-day smoker could spend over $2,800 per year. 

 

 
smoking
Smoking Facts

An individual who smoked a pack-a-day for ten years has spent an average of $12,775 on cigarettes.

 

1 in 5 Americans is a smoker

 

Approximately 440,000 die each year from smoking related illnesses.

 

50% of young smokers will eventually die prematurely from smoking.

 

49,400 Americans die each year from second hand smoke.

 

Children whose parents smoke are 20-30% more likely to have asthma.

 

 Second hand smoke contributes close to 300,000 cases of pneumonia & bronchitis in children each year.


Helpful Tools
Getting Prepared:
  • Set a date for quitting
  • Quit with a friend for support
  • Chew gum or drink water instead of smoking
  • Switch brands to one that you don't like
  • Buy one pack at a time

On Quitting Day:

  • Throw out cigarettes and ashtrays
  • Stay busy.  Do other activities instead of smoking
  • Chew Gum, candy or use a toothpick
  • Reward yourself at the end of the day

If you are ready to quit smoking the American Cancer Society is here to help.  They have many tools and wonderful support to carry you through this process.  Visit their website at: www.cancer.org


For online step-by-step cessation guides and other publications visit: www.smokefree.gov


Also, ask your current health care provider for information and tools for quitting.


 

Quitting is a big process and with these small steps, you can begin to live a healthier lifestyle! 


Inside the next issue: Exercise


Healthy Living News

Created by

TBR Associates

November 2010