• In 2001, COPD was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, resulting in more than 118,000 deaths.

• The average number of lung cancer deaths from 1995 to 1999 attributable to tobacco use was 124,0000. A total of 440,000 people died by smoking or other form of tobacco use- about 20% of all deaths in the U.S.

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Cigarette smoking is a toxin. In fact, it contains several different toxins, such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nicotine, and toluene. There have been 4,000 toxic substances attributed to cigarette smoking.

As a hot, volatile gas, cigarette smoke is, at the very least, a harsh irritant to your airways. However, this is just the start of the detrimental effect of cigarette smoke.

Coping with Relapse

• Stop smoking immediately.

• Get rid of the cigarettes you may have.

• Write down three reasons to quit.

• Recognize that you had a slip, and it is not the end of the world.

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Tips for the day to stop

• Throw away you cigarettes and ashtrays and lighters.

• Clean your clothes to rid them of cigarette smell.

• Stay away from smokers until your resolve gets stronger. (This is a temporary measure only).

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Tips to help cope with the urge to smoke

• Realize that this is an urge, and it will pass. Just like a hunger pang.

• Do some problem solving: Where was I when got the urge? What was I thinking? Who was I with? What was I doing? Etc.

• Remind yourself why you wanted to quit.

• Anticipate triggers and prepare to avoid them.

• Keep your hands busy.

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Tips when preparing to stop

• Avoid negative thoughts on how difficult it may be.

• Repeat daily at least one or two of your reasons for quitting.

• Begin to condition yourself physically; start a modest exercise program, drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest, avoid fatigue.

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An answer by Thomas Petty, M.D.

“IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO STOP SMOKING.” Almost everyone knows of the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. It has been conservatively estimated that regular smokers of cigarettes sacrifice seven years of life. If one divides the number of cigarettes smoked in a lifetime on the average into this seven years loss, it turns out to be 5 ½ minutes for each cigarette! What an astonishing statistic. The premature loss of life is primarily due to doubling the risk of heart attack, lung cancer, and emphysema. There are other cancers such as bladder, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, and uterus which are also caused by tobacco. Thus, it becomes pretty clear that stopping smoking is critical to future health. Never starting, of course, is better.