Quitting smoking dramatically improves health, increases life expectancy

Smoking :: Quitting smoking dramatically improves health, increases life expectancy

According to the American Cancer Society, about 440,000 people die in the United States from smoking-related illnesses every year.

In addition, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found through data collected from 1995 to 1999 that male smokers lost an average of 13.2 years of life, while female smokers lost 14.5 years.

Another CDC study in 2000 revealed that 8.6 million people suffered from at least one disease due to current or former smoking. All these facts paint an alarming picture, yet one in five Americans continue to light up.

Statistics prove that smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death today. Quitting can dramatically improve health and help former smokers live longer. Those who quit under age 30 experience the greatest benefits, but even those over 50 greatly reduce their risk of dying early. Studies show that it's never too late to quit.

For information and to find help to quit smoking, talk to a physician or pharmacist, or call the Medical Center's 24-hour CareLine at (800) 243-1455. Information also is available at http://www.cancer.org online.

The Medical Center and College of Medicine became a tobacco-free campus on Jan. 1, beginning a six-month transition period through June 30. All Medical Center and College of Medicine employees will be required to comply with the campus' tobacco-free policy by July 1.