Go Smoke-Free!

Go Smoke-Free! 

According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco use accounts for nearly 1 in 5 deaths in the United States. In fact, smoking cigarettes accounts for more American deaths than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined. Regrettably, according to the American Cancer Society, “smoking is the most preventable cause of death in our society,” and nearly “half of all Americans who keep smoking will die because of the habit” (Cigarette Smoking). 

The culprit of this deadly addiction is nicotine. A substance as addictive as heroin, nicotine causes the brain to form more and more receptors that welcome increasing doses of nicotine (Smoking Health Consequences). According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, nicotine withdrawal results in dramatic and uncomfortable symptoms, including: “anxiety, irritability, headache, hunger, and craving for cigarettes or other sources of nicotine” (Nicotine Addiction and Withdrawal). These nicotine withdrawal symptoms create a slippery slope of addiction, and within little time, the individual is dependent on the substance for daily life.

If you or a loved one struggles with nicotine addiction, know that the benefits of quitting are worth the fight. Besides saving cash, those who quit smoking will dramatically reduce their risk for two major deadly diseases: heart disease and cancer. Plus, living smoke-free boosts fitness capacity and strengthens reproductive health (Smoking Health Consequences). By quitting today, you can even add years to your life! According to a CDC study, male smokers lose 13.2 years of life, female smokers lose 14.5 years, and both sexes are more likely to die between ages 35 and 69 than their nonsmoking counterparts (Cigarette Smoking).

If that’s not enough motivation, remember that secondhand smoke contains hundreds of toxic chemicals that put those around you in at high risk for health problems (Health Effects). Babies and children are particularly susceptible to secondhand smoke. Babies exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and children who are exposed have increased risks of asthma attacks, respiratory infections and ear infections (Health Effects).

As you can see, there are many benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle. If you are among the many Americans struggling to overcome this powerful addiction, take action today! Make a commitment to healthy living for your community, your family, and yourself.

 References

Cigarette Smoking. (n.d.). American Cancer Society. Retrieved January 20, 2013, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/tobaccocancer/cigarettesmoking/cigarette-smoking-who-and-how-affects-health.

Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke. (2012, November 15). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved January 20, 2013, from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/index.htm#overview.

Nicotine Addiction and Withdrawal. (2012, December 27). National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Retrieved January 20, 2013, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000953.htm.

Smoking Health Consequences. (n.d.). Smokefree.gov. Retrieved January 20, 2013, from http://www.smokefree.gov/healthConsequences/default.aspx#.UPtAyEfDCCU.

-Rachel Marler