Be Tobacco Free
To stop smoking, call 947-3812
Tobacco is the single greatest cause of disease and premature death in the U.S. and is responsible for more than 440,000 deaths annually. Approximately 23% of Americans smoke, and 3,000 adolescents become new smokers each day. More than 70% of smokers would like to quit, and there are more reasons than ever to do so.

Tobacco use is associated with all kinds of cancers, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular disease.  However, these risks start decreasing immediately after quitting.   Twenty minutes after quitting, your heart rate drops.  One year after quitting, your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.  Five to 10 years after quitting, your risk of stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.  Ten years after quitting, your lung cancer rate is about half that of a smoker’s.  The immediate results of quitting are more obvious.  You breather better, you smell better, and you save money.

The surgeon general has reported that no amount of second-hand smoke is safe. As of 2005, 9 states prohibit smoking in almost all workplaces, including restaurants and bars.

Fortunately, there are new medicines to help with withdrawal symptoms and weight gain. Centra Health has multiple classes throughout the year offered at various times and locations that can help you quit smoking. These classes promote behavioral changes, along with education. For more information you can call 947-3812.

Virginia has a free quit line offered to all residents.  It can be accessed toll free at 1-800-Quit-Now.  The website www.smokefreevirginia.org is a resource developed by the government. Other websites include www.lungusa.org and www.cancer.org.

Because of nicotine’s strong addiction properties, most tobacco users attempt to quit five to seven times before being successful.  In the US now, there are as many people who have quit smoking as there are smokers.