Boston resident, Sonia Booker, shares her story about quitting smoking -- and how it changed her life.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. In Massachusetts alone, one person dies every hour from smoking-related sicknesses.
Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. It causes multiple diseases and affects both the general health of smokers and those who breathe their secondhand smoke. The only protection from the danger of cigarette smoke is to live smoke-free.
The health benefits of quitting smoking start almost right away from the moment you put out your last cigarette:
Immediate benefits - Less odor on clothes, hair, and breath
- Blood pressure and heart rate start to drop
- Higher blood oxygen levels
- Lower carbon monoxide levels
- Sense of smell and taste begin to return to normal
- More money in your pocket
| Long-term benefits - Risk of lung cancer death is half that of a smoker's
- Improved breathing
- Fewer sick days
- Less risk of ulcers, acid reflux, and gum disease
- Better skin health
- Risk of stroke and coronary heart disease is the same as a nonsmoker's
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Resources
Whether you're just thinking about quitting, getting ready to quit, or in the middle of quitting, here are some resources to help you:
Massachusetts Smoker's Helpline
Call the Massachusetts Smokers' Helpline to set up an appointment with a tobacco treatment specialist:
1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
www.MakeSmokingHistory.org
Local tobacco treatment programs
Your healthcare provider can also give you helpful information and medicine to help you quit successfully.
SmokeFree.gov
SmokeFree.gov has free quit-smoking resources and professional help for people trying to quit smoking.
