Any day is a good day to quit
You may have seen that Saturday, May 31 was World No Tobacco Day. If you haven’t quit smoking or given up tobacco products yet, here are a few reasons to quit and some ways to help you quit.
For your health
- your chances of having cancer, heart attacks, heart disease, stroke, cataracts, and other diseases will go down
- you’ll breathe easier and cough less
- your blood pressure will decrease
- your skin will look healthier
- your teeth and fingernails won’t be stained
For your lifestyle
- you’ll have more money to spend
- your food will taste better
- you don’t have to worry about when or where you’ll smoke next
- your clothes will smell better
- your house and your car will smell better
There are medications that can increase your chances of quitting. These medications will help reduce your cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) reduces withdrawal by giving you a little bit of nicotine. Over a period of time, you will uses NRT with less and less nicotine allowing you to get used to being nicotine free. NRT is available in patches, gum, and lozenges without a prescription. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using NRT.
Prescription medication is also available if you are unable to take NRT or it’s not working for you. These medications also can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms:
- Bupropion – also known as Zyban, helps reduce nicotine withdrawal and the urge to smoke. It can be used safely with NRT.
- Varenicline – also known as Chantix, helps reduce nicotine withdrawal and the urge to smoke. It also blocks the effects of nicotine from cigarettes if the user starts smoking again.
If you need help and you’d like to create a plan to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
