I recently read an article that found that woman smokers tend to have heart issues 14 years earlier than woman that do not smoke. On the other hand, men that smoke tend to have heart issues 6 years earlier then men that don’t smoke according to the European Society of Cardiology. You can find the full article here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26510114/.
The American Lung Association indicates that smoking-related diseases claim an estimated 430,700 American lives each year. Smoking costs the United States approximately $97.2 billion each year in health-care costs and lost productivity. It is directly responsible for 87 percent of lung cancer cases and causes most cases of emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
There are several choices that can be made in order to conquer the craving of nicotine and help people stop smoking. There is a great website called Quitnet.com that provides support and chats that can provide support for someone that wants to quit smoking. Membership is free and it also provides plans to help combat smoking. You can join here http://www.quitnet.com/.
The Center of Disease Control also provides several links to information and cessation programs that are federally available. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/index.htm
Another approach is offered by the Mayo Clinic and can be found here http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/quit-smoking-blog/MY00277.
Do you know someone that has quit smoking and can share any success stories?