Are you a smoker or do you know someone who is? Chances are you do. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 44.5 million U.S. adults were current smokers in 2004 (the most recent numbers available). That’s more than one out of five people.
The Great American Smokeout
This November 16, one third of our nation’s 46 million smokers will participate in The Great American Smokeout. This is the day smokers vow to be smoke free for 24 hours. This American Cancer Society-sponsored day has been changing the casual acceptance of smoking since the ’70s.
In 1977, after the first Great American Smokeout, Berkeley, Calif., became the first community to limit smoking in restaurants and other public places. In 1983, San Francisco passed the first strong workplace-smoking restrictions. The federal smoking ban on all interstate buses and domestic flights of six hours or less took effect in 1990. Today smoking isn’t as socially acceptable as it once was. I know when I was a smoker, I felt I was always looking over my shoulder to see if I was offending anyone with my habit.
Why quit?
Health concerns are at the top of people’s lists for the reasons to want to quit. The U.S. Surgeon General has stated, “smoking cessation represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives.” Approximately one half of all smokers who continue to smoke will die of a smoke-related illness.
Money also plays a part in why people want to quit smoking. You can understand why: if you take an average cost of $4.50 per pack of cigarettes at just a single pack per day, a person will spend $1,643 a year. In 20 years that would equal $32,850. That’s a lot of family vacations.
Tips to quitting
If you’re ready to quit smoking:
• Hydrate yourself well by drinking plenty of fluids for a few days before your stopping date and for the first few days of being smoke free (unless contraindicated by your health care provider).
• Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake for the first three to four days of being smoke free.
• Know your triggers.
• Know that nicotine is a powerful drug but it is possible to overcome it.
• Know who your support is.
• If you fail, try again.
• Know nicotine withdrawal takes approximately three to four days.
How can you help?
If someone you know is trying to quit smoking you can help by doing the following:
• Not taking the quitter’s grumpiness personally.
• Spending time with the quitter to help take her mind off quitting.
• Assisting with common chores to help reduce stress level.
• Respecting that the quitter is in charge.
• Celebrating along the way.
• If the smoker fails, praise her for her effort and encourage her to try again.
Remember, to quit smoking is one of the best things you can do for yourself and the ones you love. There are multiple assistant programs available to help you through the process of stopping smoking. Keep trying until you succeed—you’ll be glad you did. tpw
The Great American Smokeout
This November 16, one third of our nation’s 46 million smokers will participate in The Great American Smokeout. This is the day smokers vow to be smoke free for 24 hours. This American Cancer Society-sponsored day has been changing the casual acceptance of smoking since the ’70s.
In 1977, after the first Great American Smokeout, Berkeley, Calif., became the first community to limit smoking in restaurants and other public places. In 1983, San Francisco passed the first strong workplace-smoking restrictions. The federal smoking ban on all interstate buses and domestic flights of six hours or less took effect in 1990. Today smoking isn’t as socially acceptable as it once was. I know when I was a smoker, I felt I was always looking over my shoulder to see if I was offending anyone with my habit.
Why quit?
Health concerns are at the top of people’s lists for the reasons to want to quit. The U.S. Surgeon General has stated, “smoking cessation represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives.” Approximately one half of all smokers who continue to smoke will die of a smoke-related illness.
Money also plays a part in why people want to quit smoking. You can understand why: if you take an average cost of $4.50 per pack of cigarettes at just a single pack per day, a person will spend $1,643 a year. In 20 years that would equal $32,850. That’s a lot of family vacations.
Tips to quitting
If you’re ready to quit smoking:
• Hydrate yourself well by drinking plenty of fluids for a few days before your stopping date and for the first few days of being smoke free (unless contraindicated by your health care provider).
• Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake for the first three to four days of being smoke free.
• Know your triggers.
• Know that nicotine is a powerful drug but it is possible to overcome it.
• Know who your support is.
• If you fail, try again.
• Know nicotine withdrawal takes approximately three to four days.
How can you help?
If someone you know is trying to quit smoking you can help by doing the following:
• Not taking the quitter’s grumpiness personally.
• Spending time with the quitter to help take her mind off quitting.
• Assisting with common chores to help reduce stress level.
• Respecting that the quitter is in charge.
• Celebrating along the way.
• If the smoker fails, praise her for her effort and encourage her to try again.
Remember, to quit smoking is one of the best things you can do for yourself and the ones you love. There are multiple assistant programs available to help you through the process of stopping smoking. Keep trying until you succeed—you’ll be glad you did. tpw