Why and How to Quit Smoking Presented by HealthLinks

Almost Everybody Seems to Know that Smoking Is… The number one preventable cause of premature death in the United States Associated with lost work productivity and high costs Associated with negative perceptions in social situations Discouraged by state government and the workplace

Smoking is the Single Most Preventable Cause of Premature Death and Disease Smoking is the major risk factor for lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is a major risk factor for heart disease For every 1 person who dies from a smoking-attributed disease, there are another 20 people suffering from at least 1 serious smoking related illness

Why do People Continue to Smoke? Most people smoke because they are addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes Causes changes in the brain that make people want to use it despite risks Smoking is a cycle of craving, smoking, calming and craving Some people continue to smoke because smoking becomes part of their daily habits

Why It’s Hard to Quit – Withdrawal Effects Craving and withdrawal symptoms are the major hurdles Smokers might feel bad when they first stop smoking. Some people don’t experience symptoms; for those who do, the symptoms often go away in a few weeks It is often the habits/daily triggers that cause a relapse

Myths about Smoking and Quitting Myth 1- It’s just a matter of will power Wrong. The nicotine in cigarettes is addictive, and it isn’t easy to break that addiction Myth 2 – If you fail at the first quit attempt, you’ll never be able to quit Wrong. It takes on average six quit attempts before a person is successful in breaking the habit. Each quit attempt should be viewed as a learning experience

Potential Health Benefits of Stopping Smoking Time After Stopping 20 minutes BP, HR, and peripheral circulation improves 24 hours CO levels drop 48 hours Nicotine eliminated; taste and smell improved 2-12 Weeks Lung function can improve up to 30% 3-9 Months Shortness of breath and coughing decrease 1 year Risk of MI reduced by 50% 10 years Risk of lung cancer reduced by 50% 15 years Risk of MI and stroke fall to the same level as a nonsmoker Potential Health Benefits of Stopping Smoking

Potential Benefits of Quitting People who quit smoking save money by not buying cigarettes Food tastes better; because senses of smell and taste may return to normal Hair, clothes, car and home will not smell of cigarettes Someone who has quit will now be in control of their life, rather than being controlled by cigarettes and cravings

How to Quit Quitting smoking may be the most important step a smoker can take to Improve their health Think about the reason for quitting Learn how to overcome nicotine cravings Make changes in habits

Individual or group counseling Quit smoking medications How to Quit Learn about quitting resources/support Quitline – 1-800-QUIT-NOW Individual or group counseling Quit smoking medications A combination of treatments may work better than just a single approach

More About Quit Smoking Medications Varenicline (CHANTIX®) Many smoking cessation products contain nicotine, but CHANTIX works differently. CHANTIX was specifically designed to help adults stop smoking without the use of nicotine CHANTIX targets nicotine receptors in the brain, attaches to them and blocks nicotine from reaching them Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) Medicines that may help decrease a smoker’s withdrawal symptoms by giving a controlled dose without the other harmful chemicals found in cigarettes Patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler Bupropion (Zyban®, Wellburtrin®)

How to Quit Choose a quit date within 2-3 weeks Be aware of triggers Throw away cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays, and other smoking gear Smokers should tell friends and family about their quit date and ask for their support

Staying Quit When a smoker has quit, the important thing is to “stay quit” and maintain their smoke-free lifestyle When someone stops smoking, the chemical craving stops after a few days or weeks For most ex-smokers, just one cigarette can take the craving right back to where it was before they quit

Summary Smoking has negative consequences and complications Cigarette smoking is a medical condition that can benefit from treatment Smoking cessation is difficult and is more successful with counseling and medication Quitting is worth it