2025… I’m Quitting Smoking!

The countdown to the new year is about to begin!
3-2-1… HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Health! Health! Health!

Everyone is wishing each other a happy new year. “Good health!” But it’s one thing to wish for “good health”—are you actually taking care of yours?

Lifestyle Modifications

The vast majority of people lead very busy lives. However, it’s important to understand that simple changes to our daily habits can have a significant impact on cardiovascular health.

These changes play a crucial role in preventing heart disease and strokes.

Recommended Reading: Healthy Lifestyle Habits

The Best Action!

Among the most beneficial changes, quitting smoking stands out as the single most impactful action for improving both cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

The Consequences of Smoking

Half of all smokers will die from the harmful effects of their habit of inhaling smoke. Among them, half will pass away at a young age, between 35 and 69 years old.

This is an alarming statistic, representing a loss of 20 to 25 years of life expectancy compared to non-smokers!

Not Just Lung Cancer

Everyone knows that tobacco use is associated with lung cancer.

However, it is crucial to understand that smoking is also a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, which are the primary cause of death linked to this harmful habit.

Significant and Rapid Impacts

The benefits of quitting smoking are both quick and profound. For instance, public smoking bans have led to a notable decrease in tobacco-related deaths. It’s never too late to quit for good!

Almost Immediate Benefits

20 minutes after the last cigarette: BloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood pressure and heart rate begin to decrease.
6 hours of abstinence: The carbon monoxide level in the bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood, caused by smoking, is reduced by half, allowing oxygen levels in the body to return to normal.
After one day: The risk of heart attack begins to drop, and the lungs start their cleaning process.
By the second day: Sense of smell and taste improve significantly, making sensory experiences more enjoyable.

Long-Term Benefits

After 5 years: Cardiovascular risks, including death, heart attacks, and strokes, return to the same level as someone who has never smoked.
Life expectancy: On average, quitting smoking can increase life expectancy by approximately 10 years.

A Message of Hope

Every smoke-free day counts toward better health and a longer life. The benefits are real, immediate, and lasting. Don’t wait any longer to make this life-changing decision for your well-being.

Quitting Isn’t Easy

Quitting smoking is a real challenge! Did you know that the success rate for staying smoke-free after one year is only 5%?

Nicotine is the main culprit behind cigarette addiction. This substance triggers a feeling of well-being in the brain, encouraging smokers to keep going to maintain a steady nicotine level in the bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood.

But here’s the good news: with the right tools and mindset, quitting is absolutely possible!

Tips for Success

Set a specific date. Establishing a clear goal is essential for mental preparation.
Assert your willpower. The key is saying, “I want to quit. Smoking doesn’t control me—I’m in charge.”
Identify your motivations. Wanting better health, living longer for your children or grandchildren, or saving money can strengthen your resolve.
Focus on practical benefits. No more searching for a place to smoke or dealing with the inconveniences of the habit.
Celebrate your progress. Deciding to quit is already a victory! Remember, every smoke-free day is a step toward a better life.
Accept setbacks. If you relapse, know that it’s normal. The important thing is to persevere and keep moving forward, one day at a time.
Involve your support network. Let friends and family know you’re quitting. Their encouragement can make all the difference.

Quitting smoking takes effort, but the benefits for your health and well-being are priceless. You can do it!

Tobacco Cessation Programs

Boosting your chances of success is possible! By joining a support program and using pharmaceutical aids, your success rate can increase to 20%–25%.
Many products are available to make quitting easier, such as:

Nicotine gum
Transdermal patches
Nicotine sprays

Unfortunately, there is a 25-year delay in the widespread adoption of these tools. Yet, they are not only highly effective but also safe.

Using these tools to maximize your chances of breaking free from tobacco is a smart and empowering decision.

It’s the Smoke That’s Toxic

The true culprits behind the health issues associated with smoking are not the nicotine itself but the chemical compounds generated by burning tobacco.

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 harmful chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic. As a popular saying aptly puts it:
“Nicotine gets us to smoke. The smoke kills.”

Reducing or eliminating exposure to these combustion by-products is essential for improving health and lowering the risk of serious diseases.

The Electronic Cigarette

Electronic cigarettes contain a mixture of substances such as water, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, nicotine in varying doses, and propylene glycol. The latter is a well-known ingredient widely used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, making it a thoroughly studied product.

Invented in 2003 by a Chinese pharmacist, the electronic cigarette entered the European market in 2007. Since then, it has undergone numerous technological improvements to enhance its effectiveness and user experience.

However, electronic cigarettes do not deliver nicotine to the brain as quickly and intensely as traditional cigarettes. This difference can lead to dissatisfaction, especially among heavy smokers—those consuming more than a pack of cigarettes per day.

Certainly Less Harmful

Unlike traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes do not produce carbon monoxide or the 4,000 toxic substances resulting from tobacco combustion, many of which are carcinogenic. Because nothing burns in these devices, exposure to harmful substances is significantly reduced.

Although not entirely risk-free and not an ideal solution for health, most experts agree that electronic cigarettes can be an effective tool to support smoking cessation efforts.

Up to 70% Success in Quitting Smoking

When used with gradually reduced nicotine doses, electronic cigarettes can significantly increase the chances of success. Success rates often reach 50 to 70%, even among heavy smokers who have previously failed with other smoking cessation methods.

This makes e-cigarettes a viable option for individuals seeking to quit smoking while reducing the harm associated with tobacco consumption.

Some Resistance Persists

It is clear that inhaling substances, even through an electronic cigarette, is not risk-free, particularly those used for flavorings. These flavors often derive from oily compounds, and the lungs are not designed to break down or eliminate oils. Over time, this can lead to lung diseases.

Additionally, many individuals and official organizations, both in Canada and the United States, express strong opposition to electronic cigarettes. Their hesitation is understandable, as introducing a new habit to replace an old one raises concerns, especially regarding public health and the risk of encouraging usage among youth.

A Tool to Help Quit Smoking

Reports from public health organizations in England and France, where there is more long-term data, tend to alleviate concerns about the use of electronic cigarettes. These studies also show that most users quit using e-cigarettes after about a year without returning to their old habit of smoking traditional cigarettes.

Thus, e-cigarettes are increasingly viewed as a transitional tool to break free from tobacco addiction, provided they are also abandoned afterward.

In conclusion

If you are a smoker, the best thing you can do to prevent cardiovascular diseases is to quit smoking. This decision is undoubtedly one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.

Resources are available to support your journey, including smoking cessation centers that can guide you through the transition. Additionally, various nicotine-based products are available to help you overcome this powerful addiction.

So, are you ready to take action?
Do you have the motivation?
Now’s the time to stop coughing!

Happy New Year and good health!