Smoking Cessation
How to Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things a person can do. Its also one of the best things you can do for your own health and for that of your baby. Women who smoke are at greater risk of giving birth to low birth weight children who are more likely to have medical problems later in life including asthma and cardiovascular disease. Children whose parents smoke are at greater risk for SIDS (sudden infant death)
For a couple that is pregnant or those hoping to become pregnant quitting is extremely important. It is important for both the mother and the father to quit too. Infertility rates in both male and female smokers are about twice the rate of infertility found in nonsmokers and women exposed to second hand smoke have children with higher rates of smoking related illness. Even more concerning is the finding that children who grow up in homes where one parent smokes are twice as likely to smoke as other children, even if the parent never smokes at home.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in adults increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, emphysema, lung cancer as well as cancers of the esophagus, cervix, bladder and many other organs.
If you have tried before and failed, try again. The average person who finally quits for good has tried to quit 6-8 times before. Some are successful the first time and others take a dozen attempts. The only thing that we know for sure is that if you don't try you will never succeed. The links below will take you to several resources that may help you in your attempt to quit. Please look them over and if you have any questions or need further help contact your doctor for more information.
For a couple that is pregnant or those hoping to become pregnant quitting is extremely important. It is important for both the mother and the father to quit too. Infertility rates in both male and female smokers are about twice the rate of infertility found in nonsmokers and women exposed to second hand smoke have children with higher rates of smoking related illness. Even more concerning is the finding that children who grow up in homes where one parent smokes are twice as likely to smoke as other children, even if the parent never smokes at home.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in adults increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, emphysema, lung cancer as well as cancers of the esophagus, cervix, bladder and many other organs.
If you have tried before and failed, try again. The average person who finally quits for good has tried to quit 6-8 times before. Some are successful the first time and others take a dozen attempts. The only thing that we know for sure is that if you don't try you will never succeed. The links below will take you to several resources that may help you in your attempt to quit. Please look them over and if you have any questions or need further help contact your doctor for more information.
Resource Links
Provides a number of resources including free daily text messaging and support to help you quit
This is an excellent booklet that is actually helpful for people of all ages who want to quit. Don't let the title hold you back if you're not 50 yet.
- NY State Tobacco Cessation Centers
- Free Nicotine Patches
- Smoking Quit Coach 1-866-697-8487
