You already know that smoking is unhealthy. The word has been out since the first Surgeon General’s Report in 1964. One out of four smokers will die from their tobacco addiction. More than 420,000 will die this year. It is the single most preventable cause of death or illness in our country.
Tobacco is a serious addiction. It isn’t easy to stop, especially if you started when you were a teenager. Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs we know.
Long-term smokers must also overcome hard-wired habits of reaching for a cigarette in response to numerous cues – which can include stress, hunger, a need to focus concentration, and daily habits such as reading the paper, taking a coffee break or finishing a meal.
The most important part of successfully quitting is learning how to be a non-smoker. Smokers are most likely to succeed in quitting if they combine programs that support behavior change – such as support groups, one-on-one counseling, or classes – with medications.
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