An estimated 400,000 Americans die each year from diseases directly related to smoking or other tobacco use. New long-term studies indicate that about half of all regular tobacco users die of nicotine-related diseases. Nicotine addiction is responsible for one in five U.S. deaths and costs the economy at least $100 billion in health-care costs and lost productivity. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that tobacco use is the major preventable cause of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, emphysema and many other health problems.
Good reasons for quitting:
Tips to help you quit:
Quit and save yourself money:
By considering these five points, you will be able to create a strategy for quitting:
There are several medications that can ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and help you quit using tobacco. Ask your physician for advice about which medication is right for you.
The patch releases a steady amount of nicotine into the body over time. The patch should not be used if you are pregnant or nursing and may not be appropriate if you have a heart condition.
Nicotine gum contains enough nicotine to reduce the urge to smoke. Gum users may gradually wean themselves off the gum over the course of three months. Nicotine gum should not be used if you are pregnant or nursing and may not be appropriate if you have a heart condition.
The nicotine inhaler consists of a plastic cylinder containing a cartridge that delivers nicotine when you puff on it. Although similar in appearance to a cigarette, the inhaler delivers nicotine into the mouth, not the lung, and the nicotine enters the body much more slowly than the nicotine in cigarettes. The nicotine inhaler is available only by prescription.
Nicotine nasal spray delivers nicotine to the nasal membranes. Nicotine from sprays reaches the bloodstream faster than any other NRT products. It is available by prescription
This non-nicotine pill was approved in 1997 to help smokers quit. The drug, available by prescription only, is also sold as an antidepressant under the name Wellbutrin.
A variety of tools, from information, to one-on-one counseling, to support groups are available to assist you in your decision to stop using tobacco products. Try contacting one of the following organizations for additional information, suggestions and support:
1-800-AHA-USA1 1-800-242-8721 • www.heart.org
1-800-LUNG-USA 1-800-586-4872 • www.lung.org
1-800-4-CANCER 1-800-422-6237 • www.cancer.gov
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