Quitting smoking? The state can help

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17.9 percent of people in New York are smokers, which ranks it 25th in the nation for smoking population.

Quitting cigarettes also ranks in the top three most common New Years Resolutions nationwide year after year. With tobacco prices in New York the highest in the nation, this may just be the year to finally put out the habit. And New York State is willing to help.

Julie Right, program coordinator for the Glens Falls Hospital’s Tobacco Cessation Center said the state is sponsoring a program where they send anyone trying to quit smoking a free two-week supply of nicotine replacement products.

“The idea is when you receive the starter kit from the state you should save the money you would have spent on smoking. When the starter kit runs out, you can use that money to support the rest of your quitting efforts. That way, it doesn’t cost more money to quit, and you have help further than trying to do it cold turkey,” Right said.

And while the Tobacco Cessation Center’s work is primarily with providing health care professionals with resources, Right said she highly recommends the state’s hotline for anyone trying to quit smoking.

“The state’s hotline is linked to all the Smoking Cessation groups, and it’s place where people can call for the starter kit, information on establishing a quitting plan, and local resources. It’s a really efficient tool for anyone trying to quit,” Right said.

The New York State hotline encourages people to call for information whether they are thinking about quitting, ready to quit, or simply in need of additional support with the process. The NYS Smokers’ Quit line can be reached at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).

And while new quitters do have a battle ahead of them, Right said the good news is it’s a decision that will drastically improve quality of life.

The American Heart Association reports the risks associated with a tobacco addiction have long made it the number one cause of preventable disease and death in the United States.

The AHA also reports that cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing several chronic disorders, including fatty buildups in arteries, several types of cancer and chronic lung problems. Atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty substances in the arteries, is a chief contributor to the high number of deaths from smoking. Many studies detail evidence that cigarette smoking is a major cause of coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack.

“It’s the only product for sale that when used exactly as directed will kill you,” Right said.

But with all the bad that coincides with tobacco, the benefits of quitting are also quickly realized, with both immediate and long-term effects on health.

The national Centers for Disease Control reports that within 20 minutes of quitting smoking, a person’s blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal. Within eight hours of quitting smoking, oxygen levels in the blood stream rise to normal. Within 24 hours of quitting smoking, heart attack risk already begins to drop. At two days of quitting the senses of smell and taste improve. At three days of no smoking, breathing gets easier and lung capacity increases. Within two weeks to three months of quitting smoking, circulation improves. Within one to nine months of quitting, coughing, sinus problems and shortness of breath decrease and energy increases.

The long-term benefits of quitting smoking are noted increase life expectancy as well as quality of life. The CDC reports that between five to 15 years after quitting tobacco, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked. At 10 years smoke-free, the risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that of continuing smokers. At ten years, the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases, as well as the risk of ulcers. At 15 years being smoke-free, the risk of coronary heart disease is similar to that of people who have never smoked, and the risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked.