StrokeSense : You Can Help Yourself

The Dangers of Smoking

Watch Out for Secondhand Smoke

Passive smoking (inhaling secondhand smoke from other people's cigarettes) dramatically increases nonsmokers' risk for stroke. Secondhand smoke exposure is widespread in the United States and throughout the world. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found detectable levels of serum cotinine (a breakdown product of nicotine) in 9 of every 10 nonsmokers in a large, nationally representative sample.

The Benefits of Not Smoking

Low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes won't help protect your health—the only solution is to kick the habit completely. Even if you've smoked for most of your life, giving up cigarettes can immediately reduce your risk for stroke.

If you quit smoking, you can reduce your risk by half in one year and lower your risk to that of a nonsmoker after 5 years. As soon as you quit, you also will begin to reduce your risk for developing lung cancer, other respiratory disorders, and heart disease. And you won't miss the expense: a two-pack-a-day smoker can spend more than $10,000 on cigarettes in a decade.

Tips to Help You Kick the Habit

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking. Consult your physician for advice, enlist the support of your loved ones and friends, and pick a day to begin. With a support network in place, you'll be off to a good start. Here are some additional tips:

• Use the nicotine patch or gum to reduce the craving for nicotine, which is addictive.
• Join a quit-smoking support group or a chat room on the Web. Check your local hospital for support group information.
• Keep your hands busy by reading, writing, knitting, drawing, and so on.
• Brush your teeth when you first wake up and after you eat.
• Give yourself a break. If you slip and have one or two cigarettes, you're not alone. Many people who have successfully quit smoking experience small setbacks. Don't be discouraged. Instead, get back on track as a nonsmoker.

To find more information on the Web about how to quit smoking, visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Web site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov or the American Cancer Society site at http://www.cancer.org.

References

1. "Smoke-free Homes," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2. "Complete Guide to Quitting," American Cancer Society, Oct. 23, 2002.
3. "Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Widespread," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nov. 2, 2000.

Source of Material: RockHill Communications, 14 Rock Hill Road Bala, Cynwyd, PA 19004, (610) 667-2040,
Writer: Christine Norris
Editors: Erin Murphy, Andrea King, Joanne Poeggel, Ron Wozny
Clinical Reviewer: Patt Panzer, M.D.
Date Written: 4/30/01
Last Revised: 4/3/03