Today, November 15 is the great American Smokeout, a day initiated by the American Cancer Society to bring awareness to a habit that can be life-threatening. Did you know that one in five Americans still smoke? Or that using tobacco is the #1 cause of premature death in the United States?
It’s going to take more than warnings on cigarette packages to get people to quit. Although smoking has been banned in many restaurants and buildings, we know that people who smoke will always find a time or place to smoke. And even though a pack of cigarettes can cost up to $5, true smokers will pay the price no matter what the expense!
At FirstLight Home Care, we’re not here to berate you for your choices. We know it is a habit that is extremely hard to break. Instead, if you have a family member or a friend who smokes, help talk to them TODAY about a plan to quit. And if you’re a smoker, think about how much better you would feel if you quit. No more hacking cough. No more running out of breath when you go up the stairs … and no more nagging from your friends and family!
There are a lot of products on the market today to help smoker’s quit versus trying to go cold turkey. There’s nicotine replacement products to help you get over withdrawals. There’s counseling groups, acupuncturists, hypnotherapists, and more than 32 million websites dedicated to helping you quit.
And did you know if you quit you could save approximately $1,825/year on cigarettes? That money saved could be used for a great vacation!
Although the number one reason to quit os for YOU, think about your children as well. According to the American Cancer Society, 35% of children live in homes where homeowners or visitors are allowed to smoke. About 50 – 75% of children in the U.S. have detectable levels of cotinine, a d product of nicotine in their blood levels. Studies have shown that children exposed to secondhand smoke are at a greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory infections, and even asthma.
Our FirstLight Home Care caregivers see the repurcussions of smoking firsthand. Many of our patients suffer from COPD, heart and lung diseases and even strokes brought on by smoking. And what is the resounding reply of most of them? ” I wish I had the willpower to quit before the side effects became debilitating” or “I guess I thought I would be one of the lucky ones who it didn’t catch up with.”
So do yourself and quit for one day. One day could lead to many more. In fact, after just 12 hours without a cigarette, the carbon monoxide levels in your blood will return to normal. After two weeks both your circulation and lung function will improve. And your tastebuds will even return.
You have the willpower to quit … walk away for one day!