GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT
Want To Stop Smoking? The Day To Start Is November 19. Here’s a quick question: What’s the single most important change many of you can make to improve your long-term health?
The answer: STOP SMOKING.
But stopping is easier said than done. Smoking is very addictive, and quitting is extremely difficult. How difficult? Well, the most powerful person in the world, the President of the United States, can’t kick the habit. Barack Obama is still an occasional smoker who tried to quit, but couldn’t, during the recent Presidential campaign.
Like the President, millions of Americans try to quit smoking each year, but most don’t succeed. Quitting is not just a matter of will power. It takes motivation and support. If you’re looking to quit or at least cut down on how much you smoke, we encourage you to participate in the Great American Smokeout. It’s always held on the third Thursday of November.
Here are some proven steps you can take to help you quit.
•Tell Your Family and Friends: You’ll need their encouragement and support.
•Get Rid of Any Temptations: Throw out all your cigarettes and ashtrays.
•Find a Substitute: Use sugarless gum or talk to your doctor about using a nicotine patch.
•Find a Stop Smoking Class: Your local hospital is a good place to start. Need more motivation? Here are three more reasons to quit smoking.
Your Health Just 12 hours after you stop smoking, the level of carbon monoxide in your blood returns to normal. Your Money Even if you smoke just one pack a day, you’re likely spending $1,500 a year or more on smoking. Your FamilyYou are not the only person whose health is affected by smoking. Secondhand smoke causes an estimated 35,000 deaths each year from heart disease in non-smokers who live with smokers.
So, make this November 19 the day you start a new way of life . . . as an ex-smoker. Words: 325