November 17 is the Great American Smokeout.
If you’re not familiar with this day, you might think it’s time to pull out your smoker and your favorite cuts of meat or make a visit to your local butcher.
Not so fast!
The Great American Smokeout is a day for smokers to plan to quit smoking. It is a very difficult task, but one that can be accomplished one day at a time. Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world.
Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking benefits a person no matter how long they’ve been smoking.
- Tobacco use increases the risk for developing many types of cancers, but especially lung cancer. After time
- Your health will improve the longer you aren’t smoking.
- Can help reduce coughing and shortness of breath.
- The body begins the process of restoring itself almost immediately.
- Money saved from not buying cigarettes can go towards something else.
- Your skin, hair, teeth, nails… all can look better after quitting!
What about vaping/e-cigarettes?
Do you really know what is in the liquid you’re inhaling? Health professionals have a lot of unknowns about how the chemicals used for vaping affect the body. While vaping liquid does not contain tobacco, nicotine is often included and can be in even higher doses than a traditional cigarette.
Vaping has been linked to lung disease, asthma, and heart disease. It should still be avoided to protect your body from harmful substances
This is my way to cope with stress. Everyone else around me does it. I have tried before and I can’t quit.
There’s no denying that quitting smoking is extremely hard for a variety of reasons. Smoking becomes a habit. Certain times throughout the day, places, and people are triggers. There could also be fear or frustration about unsuccessful attempts to quit in the past.
What you should know, though, is that smoking cessation professionals – even your Wheelhouse team – should not place guilt or shame on you. Seeing a counselor is also not out of the question as they can help process the emotional changes and help guide you through a mindset that will keep you on the path of quitting.
How to Quit
Get help from 1-800-QUIT-NOW (CDC), talk to your primary care physician, and share your intentions and goals with your family and friends. One of Wheelhouse’s primary commitments to employers is to reduce cancer’s impact through cancer prevention. So, if you’re a Wheelhouse member, contact us at 1-833-864-0911 or wheelhousecares.com/contact. We’re passionate about helping you succeed and being a trusted support system on your journey.
