Five Good Reasons to Quit Smoking

According to the American Lung Association, smoking-related diseases claim an estimated 430,700 American lives annually and cost the United States over $97 billion in health care costs and lost productivity each year.

Tasha Hofmann, DO, of the Rangeley Region Health Center says that there are many significant reasons to quit smoking. Here, are just a few:

1. Decreased risk of many cancers (including mouth, larynx, esophagus, lungs, pancreas, bladder and cervix).
   
2. Decreased risk of coronary heart disease.
   
3. Fewer infections and health conditions.
   
4. Fewer health complications for family members. Children exposed to second-hand smoke have more ear infections and respiratory disorders. By quitting, you’ll also be setting a good example for your children.
   
5. More spending money. A one-pack-per-day smoker spends over $1,000 per year on cigarettes.
   

“Quitting smoking is the single best lifestyle change smokers can make to benefit their overall health,” Hofmann emphasizes. The most successful attempts, she says, typically couple nicotine replacement therapy, which reduces the physical cravings for nicotine, with a second prescription medication that helps a patient cope with psychological cravings. “All successful quit attempts include behavioral modifications such as throwing away cigarettes and ash trays and planning ahead of time for moments or situations during the day which may be difficult,” says Hofmann. It is also important for people to realize that a successful quit often takes multiple attempts, she says. “A smoker who has experienced three or four unsuccessful quits should be encouraged by the fact that just one more attempt could result in the ultimate success.”

Dr. Hofmann encourages individuals who wish to stop smoking to work in close partnership with their medical providers. Free vouchers for nicotine replacement patches and gum are available to patients of HealthReach Community Health Centers. Dr. Hofmann also recommends the Maine Tobacco Hotline (1-800-207-1230) for free and confidential tobacco-cessation counseling.