Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death, claiming the lives of more than 443,000 adults in America each year. In Tennessee alone, where more than 24 percent of the population smokes, tobacco use kills at least 30 people every day. Parents who smoke can also make their kids sick. And that’s no surprise, considering that cigarette smoke contains at least 250 chemicals known to be harmful to your health.
Most smokers also don’t realize exactly how much money smoking is taking out of their pockets every year. The cost of the cigarettes alone is quite a lot, but when you add in healthcare costs and lost productivity, it’s huge.
Smoking can lead to a variety of respiratory complications and chronic diseases that affect the quality of life. The list of smoking-related diseases is considerable: asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, peripheral artery disease, impotence in men, and a wide variety of cancers, including oral/throat, lung, bladder, stomach, cervix, kidney and pancreas.
More than 8 million people in the U.S. have at least one serious illness caused by smoking. The good news, however, is it is never too late to quit. Smokers can gain health benefits by giving up the habit—regardless of whether they are an occasional smoker or have a lifelong, several pack-a-day habit. Health benefits include improved circulatory and pulmonary function, reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer, and improved sense of smell and taste.
Kicking the habit isn’t easy. That is why Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville offers a free smoking cessation informational consultation. The consultation covers quitting strategies, symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, techniques to cope with withdrawal symptoms, developing a support network, education on cessation medications, and tips for staying smoke-free. The consultation is free, but an appointment is required. To schedule an appointment, call 931-502-4060.
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This publication in no way seeks to diagnose or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for professional medical care.