SmokeFree Wisconsin Encourages Wisconsinites to Celebrate New Year's in September Reason #8

As part of SmokeFree Wisconsin’s countdown to September 1 st ’s increase in
the cigarette and tobacco taxes we are highlighting a reason to use September 1 st as an opportunity to quit smoking and using tobacco and informing Wisconsinites of a resource that is available to assist them in their resolution to quit.

Today’s reason and resource are:

REASON #8: IN ADDITION TO CANCER, SMOKING CAUSES MANY OTHER DISEASES
The list of diseases caused by smoking includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema), coronary heart disease, stroke,
abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute myeloid leukemia, cataract, pneumonia, periodontitis, and bladder, esophageal, laryngeal, lung, oral, throat, cervical, kidney, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. Smoking is also a major factor in a variety of other conditions and disorders, including slowed healing of wounds, infertility, and peptic ulcer disease.

RESOURCE #8—CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION: USING PROVEN
MEDICINES CAN DOUBLE YOUR CHANCE OF SUCCESS
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using proven treatments can double your chance of success: “Using proven cessation treatments, such as FDA approved medications and/or individual, group or phone counseling, can double your chance of success.”
Smokefree.gov has an overview of the medicinal options to help you to quit smoking. There are medicines that can help with feelings of withdrawal: nicotine gum, nicotine inhaler, nicotine lozenge, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine patch, bupropion SR pills, Varenicline pills.
Talk to your doctor about options. But remember: Medicine alone can't do all the work. It can help with cravings and withdrawal, but quitting will still be hard at times.
For more information, go to www.smokefree.gov and www.cdc.gov.