Thinking about giving up cigarettes? If you’ve tried before
without success, you may feel unsure about whether you can quit
for good. You may also wonder how to prepare for such a big
change. Start by learning everything you can about the health
risks of smoking. Then consider how kicking the habit will
affect your health and life. Finally, arm yourself with the
latest techniques that can help smokers quit. There are now more
aids to help smokers become ex-smokers than ever before. Up in
smoke When you smoke, toxins are carried by your blood to every
organ in your body. At the same time, the carbon monoxide in
cigarette smoke keeps red blood cells from carrying as much
oxygen as normal. As a result, the cells throughout your body
are deprived of the oxygen that they need to work properly, the
American Lung Association (ALA) says. Smoking increases the risk
for these health problems: Weakened bones and hip fractures in
older women Cancers of the blood, cervix, pancreas, stomach,
kidneys, and bladder Gum diseas