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It is estimated that approximately 50 million adults currently
smoke in the United States. Smoking is responsible for 87% of lung
cancers and causes about 20% of all deaths in the U.S. So why do
people continue to smoke despite these alarming facts? Some common
reasons include: I only smoke when I drink, I am only a social smoker,
there's nothing else to do, smoking helps me relax/relieves stress
or I just feel like it or I like it too much. Nearly 70% of people
who smoke want to quit smoking completely. Another reason why people
continue to smoke is due to NICOTINE ADDICTION (physical, psychological).
Nicotine is a very powerful drug and many people need counseling,
education and support when quitting tobacco. There are a variety
of different methods available to reduce your cravings for nicotine.
One of the most common methods would be Nicotine Patches. The nicotine
from the patch is released over a period of time throughout the
body. Another method is nicotine gum. This method is used when people
have the "urge" to smoke and instead reach for a stick
of nicotine gum to get them over the craving. There are also nicotine
inhalers as well as other medications available such as Zyban.
Some FACTS about Smoking:
1) This year, 1.2 million Americans will successfully quit smoking.
2) Lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause
of cancer deaths among women.
3) One year after quitting smoking, the excess risk of heart attack
caused by smoking is reduced by half.
4) Within FIVE years after quitting smoking, lung cancer death
rate for average former smoker decreases by almost half.
5) Besides nicotine, cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 substances,
many of which may cause cancer or damage the lungs.
6) 65% of college and university students reported NOT smoking
cigarettes or using spit tobacco in the last 30 days
7) About 70% of adults (33.2 million) want to qut smoking completely
but because of the addictive nature of nicotine many smokers find
it difficult to quit.
8) Cigarettes contain: Arsenic (used in rat poison), Ammonia (household
cleaner), Cadmium (found in batteries), Formaldehyde (used to embalm
dead bodies), Hydrogen Cyanide (poison in gas chambers), Phenol
(used in disinfectants)
If you have further questions or would like some educational advice
on Smoking Cessation, please call the Student Health Services at
#255-4850 and ask for TROY.
Websites and Links
CDC-Tobacco
American
Cancer Society
American Heart Association
National Cancer Institute
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