February is the month the American Heart Association wants Floridians to think about not smoking to prevent heart disease.
Two new studies of large populations of Americans published in the January issue of the New England Journal each demonstrate the devastating effects of smoking on longevity.
Prabhat Jha and colleagues found that smokers lose at least ten years of life expectancy when compared with those who have never smoked.
Michael Thun and his group reported that the risk of death from cigarette smoking has continued to increase among women so that now the increased risks for heart disease and lung cancer are now nearly identical for men and women who smoke, as compared with persons who have never smoked.
The good news, according to Dr. Jha, is that stopping smoking before the age of 40 years reduces the risk of death associated with continued smoking by about 90 percent.
So take time this month to check out the various programs offered in Florida to help you quit smoking. You’ll live a longer and healthier life.
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