A New Year, a New Drive to Quit Smoking
It’s a new year, and for many that means new goals. Quitting smoking is consistently one of the top 10 most common New Year’s resolutions: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 68 percent of American smokers say they want to quit for good. If your goal is to work towards overall better health, quitting smoking is a great place to start. The CDC reports stopping smoking is related to a:
- Lowered risk for lung cancer and many other types of cancer
- Lowered risk for heart disease and stroke
- Lessening of respiratory symptoms
- Lowered risk of developing some lung diseases
- Lowered risk of infertility in women of childbearing age
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, and people who stop smoking greatly lower their risk for disease and early death. The health benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, but there are benefits at any age, so you are never too old to quit!
There’s no doubt that quitting smoking has a positive influence on your health, but if your resolution is to save money then quitting can provide a big boost for your budget. The average pack of cigarettes in Oregon costs $5.75 according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which adds up to more than $2,000 a year for the average pack-a-day smoker.
About a quarter of all Douglas County adults smoke, according to the Oregon Health Authority. But for many, it isn’t enough to simply put down the pack. If you’re looking to learn to live without tobacco, we’re here to help! Through a partnership with the American Cancer Society and Optum, Umpqua Health Alliance offers its members free access to the Quit For Life Program®. The Quit For Life Program® develops individualized quit plans, and teaches “The 4 Essential Practices to Quit For Life”:
- Quit at your own pace
- Conquer your urges to smoke
- Use medications so they really work
- Don’t just quit, become a non-smoker
Umpqua Health encourages you to Do One Thing for Better Health. If your one thing is to quit smoking, we can help! Contact our Member Services team, or enroll online by clicking here.
