Cigarette smoking causes 480,000 deaths a year and is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States. Many people know the risks, dangers, and harm cigarette smoking can cause, yet are stuck in an addictive pattern that is hard to break. If that is you, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled our top three motivations for you to quit smoking in 2024. You can do this!
1. Your Physical Health Matters
No matter what you think, smoking cigarettes is proven to have a significant negative impact on your physical health. According to the CDC, smoking cigarettes increases your risk of these health conditions:
- Coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times
- Stroke by 2 to 4 times
- Men developing lung cancer by 25 times
- Women developing lung cancer by 7 times
Along with being at an increased risk of those specific conditions, smoking harms every organ of the human body, affects bone health, tooth and gum health, immune system health, and so much more. The negative health impact is immense.
2. Cigarettes are Full of Toxic Chemicals
There are more than 5,000 chemicals found in cigarette smoke, with hundreds that are harmful to human health. A few of these harmful chemicals include:
- 1,3-Butadiene – Used to manufacture rubber
- Arsenic – Used to preserve wood
- Benzene – Used to manufacture other chemicals
- Cadmium – Metal used to make batteries
- Chromium VI – Used to make alloy metals, paints, and dyes
Read more about the negative impact these chemicals can have on human health.
3. The Health of Your Loved Ones Matters
Secondhand smoke can impact the health of your family members who do not smoke, especially children. The risk of heart disease is 25-30 percent higher in people who are regularly exposed to cigarette smoke in their environment. Improving your own health can be a strong motivator to quit smoking, but so can the wellbeing of those who regularly surround you. Your cigarette smoking habits can have an effect on them, too.
Benefits of Quitting
If you feel discouraged in the process of quitting, we encourage you to remember all the benefits you will begin to experience as a result of smoking cessation. The American Heart Association and U.S. Surgeon General have put together a list of the ways your body starts to recover starting at just 20 minutes after you quit smoking cigarettes.
The American Heart Association also provides other benefits of smoking cessation, which include:
- Physical activity with less shortness of breath
- Better smelling clothes, car, hair, and body
- Normal sense of taste and smell
- Fingernail and tooth stains will begin to fade
- Save thousands of dollars a year
How to Quit
From private programs, to national quit phone lines, to medications, there are many options available to help you quit smoking. Do not be afraid to try multiple strategies to identify what works best for you. The American Heart Association provides several resources on their website to help you quit now. We understand this can be a big step to take for someone who has been smoking for many years, but we believe you can do it if you set your mind to it. You’ve got this! Make 2024 great by committing to quit.
A positive mindset and the support of your family and friends will be crucial during your journey to quitting smoking. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to get additional help and resources. We believe in you!
