Last of three parts

If you smoke, you owe it to yourself to quit. And I believe you have an obligation to try to help others to quit. I’m doing my part by a series of columns. No scolding or exaggerated scare tactics. I’m giving you just the facts in a chain of bulletins. You can stick these columns on bulletin boards and refrigerators. I recommend giving them to a smoker you love.

Here are more reasons to quit smoking:

Cigarette smokers die younger than nonsmokers. Smoking shortens lives by about 14 years.

Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, causing 443,000 deaths each year.

Because of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (“second-hand smoke”), an estimated 3,000 nonsmoking Americans die of lung cancer every year.

Tobacco use accounts for about one-third of all cancer deaths in the United States.

Smoking causes almost 90 percent of lung cancer.

More than 7 million smokers and previous smoker suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is chronic bronchitis and emphysema. About 85 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking.

About 80 percent of smokers would like to quit.

It’s never too late to quit. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you’ve smoked.

Within minutes of smoking the last cigarette, the body begins to restore itself. After two weeks, circulation and lung function improve. One year after quitting, the risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s. At 10 years, the lung cancer death rate is cut in half. At 15 years after quitting, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.

Some smokers can just stop “cold turkey.” Others need help with drugs and behavior modification. Relapse rates are highest in the first few weeks. Relapse rates decrease substantially after about three months.

One study found that the greatest reduction in cigarette use were achieved when smoking became more expensive and alternative recreational activities were provided.

Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) are medicines that relieve a smoker’s nicotine withdrawal symptoms. NRTs are available as patches, gums, inhalers, nasal sprays or lozenges. NRTs should be used with behavioral modification.

Bupropion (Zyban) is a prescription antidepressant that affects brain chemicals involved in craving nicotine.

Varenicline (Chantix) reduces the pleasurable effects of smoking and helps reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

If you have used tobacco, you should have regular oral exams by your physician or dentist. These exams will detect changes that could be cancer or a precursor of cancer.

Cancer and other conditions of the lung have the following symptoms: a new cough, a change in cough, coughing up blood, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, wheezing, headaches, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, general fatigue and repeated respiratory infections.

However, lung cancer often has no apparent symptoms until advanced.

If you have been a tobacco user or continue to smoke or chew, it’s critical that you get regular medical attention.

If you want to quit smoking and need help, contact one of the following organizations:

American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org; American Heart Association, www.heart.org; American Lung Association, www.lung.org; National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office on Smoking & Health, www.cdc.gov/tobacco; Smokefree.gov, www.smokefree.gov

Have a question? Email: fred@healthygeezer.com. Order “How To Be A Healthy Geezer,” 218-page compilation of columns: healthygeezer.com

All Rights Reserved &Copy; 2023 Fred Cicetti

The Times News, Inc. and affiliates (Lehigh Valley Press) do not endorse or recommend any medical products, processes, or services or provide medical advice. The views of the columnist and column do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Lehigh Valley Press. The article content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, or other qualified health-care provider, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.