THE COST OF SMOKING

By Joseph Hazan,M.D., FACOG

Frequently, when I tell patients to use

a smoking cessation program, they are

concerned primarily about the cost of

a given program.

However, the terrible

toll of smoking has to be our primary

concern.

Consider these smoking related facts:

1) Smokers are at a much higher risk

of most cancers. The most common

among these are, cancers of the lungs,

mouth, tongue, throat, esophagus, bowel

 and bladder.

2) Each cigarette smoked shortens the

life-span of the smoker by 14 minutes,

which adds up to 4 hours per pack.

3) Smoking causes blindness.

Macular degeneration which is the leading

cause of blindness in the U.S. is closely

related to smoking.

Cataracts are also

caused by smoking.

4) Active and passive ( second hand)

smokers have frequent chest infections.

5) Smokers have a limited sense of smell.

6) Smoking causes aging of the skin

by depleting vitamin A content of the skin.

This causes most smokers to have

facial skin that is about 10 to 20 years
older, than their chronological age.
7) Mothers who smoke run the risk of
having higher risks of many pregnancy
complications and these problems

contribute to risks for the baby.

8) Every year 400.000 Americans die
due to smoking related illnesses.

SMOKING CESSATION
There are several interventions available
to help stop smoking.

The following are

specialized resources:
1) American Cancer Society
2) American Heart Association:

1-800-AHA-USA1
3) www.smokefree.gov
4) 1-800-QUIT-NOW
5) American Lung Association

1-800-LUNG-USA