It’s the Great American Smokeout!
November 16 is the Great American Smokeout! It's a day to recognize the impact smoking cigarettes can have on your health and consider making today your official quit day. Now, we know quitting smoking is no easy feat. Whether you've tried before and weren't successful or are looking to make your first quit attempt, you don’t have to go it alone. Resources are available to help support you on your journey towards a tobacco-free lifestyle. Let's talk about some of the ways smoking cigarettes could be affecting your health and how you can create a quit plan that works for you.
How does smoking affect my health?
Smoking cigarettes can harm almost every organ in your body, including your heart, lungs, brain, and liver. While these effects may not be immediate, smoking over the long term can put you at greater risk for serious health-related issues such as heart disease and lung cancer. Smoking can also cause changes to your physical appearance, such as yellowing of your skin and nails, premature wrinkling, and stained teeth.
Quitting smoking cigarettes is the best way to protect your health in the short and long term. In fact, it can add as much as a decade to your life expectancy. If you feel that smoking has started to impact your relationships, your well-being, or even your wallet (as buying cigarettes can add up!), quitting can help you reclaim what's important to you, whether that’s spending more time with family, saving for a fun vacation, or enjoying a more active lifestyle. Let's talk about how you can get started on your quit journey.
How do I quit smoking?
Quitting looks different for everyone, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself to quit on your first attempt. While it might take someone two attempts to quit, it might take someone else five or more. Both are OK and are part of your journey towards a healthier lifestyle. What’s important to focus on is building a quit plan that works for you.
So, what is a quit plan, and how do I build one? A quit plan is a strategy for how you will avoid using cigarettes after your quit day. It’s important to consider your reasons for quitting, how you will manage cravings, and who can support you on your journey. Having a plan in place can increase your chances of quitting smoking cigarettes successfully and give you something to lean on when the going gets tough.
Check out the resources below to learn more about building a quit plan and get connected with mobile apps that can keep your quit plan easily accessible and part of your daily routine.
Home | Smokefree
I Want To Quit Smoking | American Lung Association
Every Try Counts (hhs.gov)
Great American Smokeout | American Cancer Society
Cessation | SRHD
What are the benefits to quitting smoking?
There are many benefits to quitting smoking! While we've mentioned some of the long-term benefits, such as reducing your risk of heart disease and lung cancer, there are immediate benefits to quitting smoking cigarettes, too! Knowing these can help you stay motivated to continue your quit journey, especially if you feel that quitting smoking only has long-term benefits. Check out the timeline below to see how quickly you can start reaping the benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle.
20 minutes: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
A few days after quitting: the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
Learn more about the benefits of quitting smoking cigarettes over time at: Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time | American Cancer Society
*Icons and text from the American Cancer Society.
You've got this!
Choosing to quit smoking cigarettes is a big deal, and we know it can be difficult and may even seem impossible at times. The good news is that quitting smoking is possible, and with the right quit plan and resources, you can continue to make strides till smoking cigarettes is a thing of the past for you. Just remember, you've got this!
Learn more about the effects of smoking cigarettes at: Health Effects of Quitting Smoking | Smokefree
Lean more about the Great American Smokeout at: Great American Smokeout | American Cancer Society