Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., which is why healthcare providers are urging smokers — new and old — to reverse this habit for the safety of their health and the health of loved ones they interact with daily.

Each year, on May 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinates and observes World No Tobacco Day, which aims to inform the public on the dangers of using tobacco products and what can be done to protect future generations from unhealthy tobacco use. It’s a day that helps encourage smokers to quit in the interest of their health and the health of those around them — another effort in continuing education about the detriments of tobacco use.

Smoking cessation has many health benefits and should be the goal for present-day smokers who want to be healthier, save money or keep their loved ones safe from secondhand smoke.

Need Help Quitting?

Talk to your healthcare provider or call the Colorado QuitLine at 1-800-784-8669 for resources.

For World No Tobacco Day 2022, make your first or next attempt at quitting.

For additional resources, visit prowersmedical.com

The Dangers of Smoking

Smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths per year — this includes those impacted by secondhand smoke. This accounts for about 1 in every 5 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can cause 16 different types of cancer, including cancer of the lungs, colon, throat and liver, and the habit leads to heart disease, stroke and other serious health conditions. On average, smokers die 10 years earlier than nonsmokers.

There are about 600 ingredients in cigarettes that release over 7,000 chemicals when burned, and at least 70 of those are known to cause cancer, according to the American Lung Association. Nicotine is the addictive substance in tobacco products, and it’s considered as addictive as heroin or cocaine, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports.

“The true mark of addiction is that people still smoke even though they know smoking is bad for them — affecting their lives, their health and their families in unhealthy ways,” according to the ACS. “Most people who smoke want to quit.”

The Health Benefits of Quitting

Understanding the health benefits of quitting can be great motivation to drop the habit, and there are immediate and long-term benefits.

According to the ACS, in the first 20 minutes of being nicotine-free, your heart rate and blood pressure start to drop. After about three days, nicotine leaves your body. Within two to 12 weeks, your circulation and lung functions improve, and heart attack risk begins to decrease. One year later, risk for coronary heart disease is cut by 50 percent, and within two to five years, the risk of mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder cancer is also cut in half.

Some quick tips offered by the World Health Organization to curb tobacco cravings include:

  • Delay your urge as long as you can before giving in.
  • Relax and take 10 deep breaths until your urge passes.
  • Instead of reaching for a cigarette, reach for a glass of water.
  • Do something to distract yourself, like taking a shower, reading, going for a walk or listening to music.

Because nicotine is so addictive, it can take users several attempts to quit, but that doesn’t mean they should give up if their first time is unsuccessful. Along with support from family and friends, there are many solutions and methods available for smokers who want to quit, including quitting programs, self-help books and materials, prescription medicine and/or nicotine replacements.