Today is the American Cancer Society’s 44th annual Great American Smokeout. It is a day when thousands of smokers across America make a commitment to live a healthier life by taking the first steps towards learning and planning to quit smoking. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States; however, smokers can and do quit smoking, and today there are more former smokers than current smokers.”
The National Cancer Institute explains that there are many benefits of quitting smoking. Some are:
- Better vision
- Cleaner mouth
- Clearer skin
- Decreased heart risk
- Broken addiction cycle
- Lower cholesterol
- Stops lung damage
- Prevents emphysema
- Lower cancer risk
- Better sexual health
The CDC has a Quit Guide from former smokers with tips to help you quit smoking. Some of those tips are:
- Decide to quit
- Build your quit plan
- Prepare for your cravings
- Reduce your stress
- Avoid secondhand smoke
Your healthcare provider can also help you with a quit plan and to find resources as you begin your journey to a smoke-free life. To schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider at any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, you may visit our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/guide/index.html
https://smokefree.gov/quit-smoking/why-you-should-quit/benefits-of-quitting
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6845a1.htm