RSS
Home
Great American Smokeout 2009
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Are you among the hundreds of smart people that quit smoking today? I guess that might depend on where you live. According to the American Cancer Society, the lowest smoking rates among adults were seen in states with completely smoke-free workplaces, such as New Jersey (14.8 percent), California (14 percent), and Utah (9.2 percent). Meanwhile, the highest rates were found in states without such laws, such as West Virginia (26.6 percent), Indiana (26.1 percent) and Kentucky (25.3 percent).
In spite of all the inconveniences-and sometimes scorn- that smokers face today, smoking rates in the U.S. have stayed about the same for the last 5 years. This is according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Based on the statistics, it seems more legislation is needed.
At this point I believe most people are aware of the dangers of smoking. Cancer, Stroke, Heart Disease, Lung disiease- just to name a few.
But there are other risks to consider:
* Couples who smoke are more likely to have fertility problems than couples who are non-smokers.
* Smoking worsens asthma and counteracts asthma medication by worsening the inflammation of the airways that the medicine tries to ease.
* The blood vessels in the eye are sensitive and can be easily damaged by smoke, causing a bloodshot appearance and itchiness.
* Heavy smokers are twice as likely to get macular degeneration, resulting in the gradual loss of eyesight.
* Smokers run an increased risk of cataracts.
* Smokers take 25 per cent more sick days year than non-smokers.
* Smoking stains your teeth and gums.
* Smoking increases your risk of periodontal disease, which causes swollen gums, bad breath and teeth to fall out.
* Smoking causes an acid taste in the mouth and contributes to the development of ulcers.
* Smoking also affects your looks: smokers have paler skin and more wrinkles. This is because smoking reduces the blood supply to the skin and lowers levels of vitamin A.
But it's never too late. Some of the health effects of quitting are almost instant, too: heart rate and blood pressure drop 20 minutes after quitting. Quitting smoking will also reduce preventable health care expenses. Your lungs will even repair themselves, as best they can. Arm yourself with the resources that can help you. Check out: http://www.quitnet.com/qnhomepage.aspx and http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/smoking.
Help is out there- take it. I can tell you as a former smoker of fifteen years- you won't regret it.
Related Articles:
Comments
