Quitter's Basics to Smoking Cessation

FACT: Cigarette smoking causes approximately 440,000 deaths annually in the United States. It is also the most preventable cause of death in the country.

FACT: Smoking is associated with an increased risk for at least 15 types of cancers. In fact, it is the most important risk factor for lung cancer.

FACT: More than 8.6 million people in the United States have at least one serious illness caused by smoking.

FACT: Research has shown that women who smoke during pregnancy are at increased risk of pregnancy complications, premature deliveries, low-birth-weight infants, stillbirths, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

FACT: An estimated $92 billion in productivity losses occurs annually from deaths due to smoking. The economic costs of smoking are more than $167 billion, including an additional $75.5 billion in smoking-related medical expenditures.

FACT: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., 85-90 % of all COPD cases are directly attributed to smoking. 12 million Americans currently have COPD, another 12 million likely have the disease and are not even aware of it. The cost of COPD to the nation in 2002 was estimated to be $32.1 billion.

Quitting smoking is very difficult. It takes some individuals many attempts before they are successful. The key is to not quit quitting!