LIVEWELL MINUTE: Smoking Cessation

Tobacco use is the most common preventable cause of death. About half of the people who don’t quit smoking will die of smoking-related problems. Quitting smoking is important for your health and provides many benefits.

Amy Millang, UnityPoint Health says, “Soon after you quit, your circulation begins to improve, your blood pressure starts to return to normal, your sense of smell and taste return and breathing starts to become easier. In the long term, giving up tobacco can help you live longer. Your risk of getting cancer decreases with each year you stay smoke-free.”

Although you may have been a smoker for years, there are resources available to help you if you decide it’s time to become tobacco-free. Quitting is not easy. Some people try several times before succeeding.

Millang says, “Your health care provider can help you find the best way for you to quit. No matter how a person plans to quit, they need to remember to stay focused and remind themselves of the benefits that choosing not to smoke will have on their life.”