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Smoking…» Is the leading preventable cause of death today.

» Is the number one risk factor for lung cancer.People who smoke are 15 to 30 times more likelyto develop the disease.

» Doubles your chances of having a heart attack.

» Causes premature death in half of all smokers fromsmoking-related diseases like emphysema, heartdisease, stroke, and lung and other cancers.

Statistical Facts» Americans have consumed more than 17 trillion

cigarettes. If laid end to end that would beequivalent to 900 million miles.

» Nearly 16 percent of high school studentssmoke cigarettes.

» Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals,69 of which are known to cause cancer.

» Secondhand smoke causes more than an estimated202,000 asthma episodes, 790,000 physicianvisits for buildup of fluid in the middle ear, and430 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) caseseach year.

TOBACCO ADDICTION:

KillerInstinct

Smoking kills more people than AIDs, alcohol, drug abuse, car crashes, murders, suicides, and fires combined.

For More InformationAmerican Cancer Society

www.cancer.org

American Lung Association www.lung.org

American Heart Association www.heart.org

Tips from Former Smokers www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips

Quitters always prosper.Half of those who have ever smoked have quit. These 46 million people have improved their health and prospects for a longer life and relieved their families and co-workers of worry and the dangers of secondhand smoke.

But it’s not easy to kick a powerful addiction, and you should be prepared to go through some discomfort. There’s a lot of help available.

Don’t be discouraged if you’ve tried before. It takes people an average of six attempts to quit for good, and your chances of stopping successfully actually go up the more times you’ve tried. Keep trying—people who quit at any age live longer than people who don’t. Smokers who quit before they’re 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years in half.

Why is it so hard to quit smoking?It’s not an exaggeration to call tobacco use an addiction. In fact, curbing or eliminating tobacco is particularly complex because there is both a physical addiction to the drug, nicotine, PLUS a psychological dependence on the behavior itself. As a result, this “dual-addiction” makes tobacco a leader in the category of addictive substances. Consider these facts:

»Animals in labs will work (push levers) forinjections of nicotine instead of food and water,literally dying to get their fix.

»Withdrawal symptoms develop quickly. Dizziness,nausea, racing pulse, and sweating disappear as theuser begins to use regularly.

»Use is repeated often—someone who smokes apack a day takes about 75,000 puffs a year.

»When users try to quit, they experience un-pleasantwithdrawal symptoms like irritability, anxiety,hunger, headaches, and an intense craving fortobacco.

»Smokers relapse after quitting at the same rateas heroin addicts.

»Nicotine stimulates the brain the same wayas cocaine, morphine, and amphetamines—itreleases dopamine in the brain.

Why some people get hooked and others don’t.You have to take that first cigarette or pinch of chewing tobacco to begin to get hooked. Most kids and adults use their heads and just never start—the very best way to avoid addiction. What about the others?

Depressed and anxious people may be more prone to addiction. They may use tobacco to feel better, and may suffer more when they try to quit. Genes may play a part here, too, since a tendency towards depression and anxiety can be inherited. It’s interesting that one of the cessation aisd is an anti-depressant medication.

Peer pressure is probably the #1 reason kids start smoking—and most smokers start when they’re under 18. If smoking is considered “cool” in their peer groups, some kids just can’t resist. The good news is that there are now many anti-tobacco campaigns, which highlight the not-so-cool effects of smoking. And they’re working.

Tobacco use is deadly,

expensive, and often socially

unacceptable. So why doesn’t

everyone stop? Learn the facts

about tobacco addiction and the

latest on how to quit.

BROCHURES

The information contained in this brochure has been carefully reviewed for accuracy. It is not intended to replace the advice of your physician or health care provider.

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F

17002 MARCY STREET, SUITE 140 | OMAHA, NE 68118

402.827.3590 | WELCOA.ORG

©2017 Wellness Council of America 200226Information may not be reproduced, copied, cited or circulated in any printed

or electronic form without written permission from the publisher.

B R O C H U R E S

Journey to Quitting

Kick the

Habit and nicotine dependence

N.O.P.E.Not One Puff Ever

Even one cigarette during the quit plan will make it

harder to stay quit.Disease and death are remote consequences to a teenage smoker. But the idea of having stinky breath, hair, and clothes are convincing deterrents that are important to highlight.

SAMPLE

Nicotine Replacement TherapiesNicotine substitutes are designed to help wean yourself from smoking by giving you decreasing doses of nicotine without inhaled toxins associated with smoking. They’re less addictive than tobacco and may become habit-forming—so don’t use them longer than instructed. They work best as part of an overall smoking cessation program that includes behavioral therapy.

Nicotine Patches deliver a steady dose of nicotine through the skin—replacing patches every 24 hours, reducing the nicotine dose over several months (available without a prescription).

Nicotine Gum and Lozenges are used similarly to cigarettes. You can nearly double your chances of quitting with these therapies and patches (available without a prescription).

Nicotine Nasal Sprays deliver nicotine rapidly through the nose, and may help heavy smokers. There is a greater risk of addiction with the spray (by prescription only).

Nicotine Inhalers mimic the motion of smoking. You bring the mouthpiece to your mouth and inhale air with nicotine (by prescription only).

Non-nicotine Prescription MedicinesDiscuss use of medicines with your health care provider.

Bupropion hydrochloride is a medicine for depression but also helps people quit smoking. This includes products such as Zyban®, Wellbutrin®, Wellbutrin SR®, Wellbutrin XL®.

Varenicline is a medicine that may help smokers quite. This is the product Chantix®.

When You Quit... » Encourage yourself. Tell yourself that you can

do it.

» Drink lots of water to help flush out nicotine.

» Eat healthy snacks when you have a craving.

» Exercise to relieve some of the stress of quitting. It may give you energy and improve your mood.

» Use stress reduction techniques to help you through.

» Get support from friends, family, and co-workers. Talk about how you’re doing and how you feel. Keep in mind that irritable moods are to be expected when you’re quitting.

» Using an e-cigarette is not quitting and people using them are not nonsmokers. The nicotine is still delivered, just in a less flammable way.

Not Ready To Quit?Recent studies show that smokers can reduce their consumption of tobacco products by up to 50% by alternating between tobacco and nicotine substitutes. Call your physician and have them give you the details. And, if you can cut your tobacco use in half—someday, you just might be able to make it 100% of the way! Good luck!

» Set a quit date:

» Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you’re going to quit, and ask them for support and understanding or invite a friend or family member to quit with you.

» Write down the answers to these questions, and keep them handy while you quit.

Why do you smoke?

Why do you want to quit?

When you tried to quit in the past, what helped?

What’s derailed you when you’ve tried to quit?

What other situations are likely to make it difficult?

Can you avoid some things that trigger you to smoke?

What will you do when you get the urge to smoke?

Who can help you through this?

How will you keep your hands and mouth occupied?

What ritual could you substitute for smoking?

How will you reward yourself each day you don’t smoke?

Prepare To QUIT! » Build a quit plan. https://smokefree.gov/build-your-quit-plan

» Decide if you’ll use a cessation aid. See your doctor if it requires a prescription.

» Throw out tobacco products and ashtrays, pipes, and lighters. Air out or deodorize your home and car—perhaps even get the carpet cleaned.

» Wash clothing to remove the smoking reminder.

» Make a stress reduction plan. Start practicing your deep breathing or join that athletic club. Buy those healthy foods and packs of gum in advance.

» Visualize yourself as a nonsmoker. Take a minute each day to imagine yourself smelling good, breathing better, having more money, more energy, and managing stress otherwise.

ideally within the next 2 weeks

B R O C H U R E S

Using an e-cigarette is not quitting and people using them are not nonsmokers. The nicotine is still delivered, just in a less flammable way.

When it comes to quitting smoking for good, a combination of a smoking cessation program and nicotine replacement therapies works best. The program should have at least a 20% success rate after one year, and include at least four to seven sessions over a minimum of two weeks. You’ll get it all—preparation, support, behavior therapy, stress management ideas, tips—put together for you. Your health plan, doctor, local hospital, or employee assistance program can help you find a program.

There is no such thingas a healthy smoker.

– Dr. Tom Frieden Former CDC Director

7 OUT OF 10 SMOKERS WANT

TO QUIT SMOKING COMPLETELY.

SAMPLE