What Is Smoking Cessation?
Smoking cessation is the basic steps that people who smoke take to stop smoking for obvious reasons that include enhancing the length and quality of their lives.
Why Should I Stop Smoking?
Health concerns are usually the number one reason why people consider that smoking is not good for them and that they should consider quitting. About half of all smokers who continue to smoke will end up dying from a smoking-related illness such as cancer, lung-disease, pneumonia, heart attacks, stroke, etc.
By taking control of yourself and the nasty habit of smoking, you can increase your health benefits. After one year off cigarettes, the excess risk of coronary heart disease caused by smoking is reduced by half. After 15 years of abstinence, the risk is similar to that for people who've never smoked. Also, in 5 to 15 years, the risk of stroke for ex-smokers returns to the level of those who've never smoked. Male smokers who quit between ages 35 to 39 add an average of 5 years to their lives. Female quitters in this age group add 3 years. Men and women who quit at ages 65 to 69 increase their life expectancy by 1 year. There are also other immediate benefits of smoking cessation that does not solely deal with your health.
Other Benefits of Smoking Cessation are that you:
- Are not as tired during the day
- Have more stamina, endurance, and confidence
- Save more money
- Breath better
- Feel like working out more
- Cough less than before
- Have less heart burn and indigestion
- Have whiter teeth
- Have fresh breath
- Have sharper thinking
Also your:
- Anxiety levels go down
- Complexion is better
- Heart feels more relaxed
- Sense of smell returns to normal
- Sinus problems will almost cease
- Allergies and asthma improve
How Do I Stop Smoking?
A plan to stop smoking may not be easily done alone but with the help of professionals. Help from professionals can assist with the initial stages of smoking cessation. With the wide range of counseling services, self-help materials, and medicines available today, smokers have more tools than ever to help them quit smoking for good. Tobacco addiction has both a psychological and a physical component. For most people, the best way to quit will be some combination of medicine, a method to change personal habits, and emotional support. UNCG offers support to students, faculty and staff. For information on what is offered and how to make an appointment check out our information on individual counseling or resources available to students or faculty and staff.
Material for this page adapted from the following references:
- American Cancer Society. Guide to Quitting Smoking. Atlanta, Ga. 2008. Available at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp. Accessed June 12, 2008.
- American Lung Association. Trends in Tobacco Use, January 2007. Available from http://www.lungusa.org. Accessed June 12, 2008.
- CDC National Center For Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Quit to Live: How and Why to Quit Smoking Today. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/news/QuitSmoking.htm. Accessed June 12, 2008.
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