Quitting Smoking Reduces the Risks for:

Cardiovascular Disease

In 2004 in Simcoe Muskoka 372 men and 305 women died from IHD. (33)

Stroke

In 2004 in Simcoe Muskoka 81 men and 144 women died from stroke. (33)

Cancer (general)

In 2004 in Simcoe Muskoka 554 men and 447 women died from cancer. (33)

Breast & Cervical Cancer

In 2004 in Simcoe Muskoka 74 women died from breast cancer and 11 women died from cervical cancer. (33)

Lung Cancer

In 2004 in Simcoe Muskoka 153 men and 119 women died from lung cancer. (33)

Lung Diseases

In 2004 in Simcoe Muskoka 83 men adn 72 women died from chronic obstructive lung disease. (33)
Smokers are at increased risk of respiratory infections (pneumonia, influenza, and colds) compared to non-smokers. (37)

Secondhand Smoke

• Secondhand smoke (SHS) has been identified as one of the possible causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). (34)
• Children found to breathe SHS have a higher rate of asthma, ear infections and respiratory problems. (35)
• SHS contains more than 50 cancer causing chemicals. (36)
• The effects of SHS on adults include cancer of the lung, breast, bladder, pancreas, liver and brain, heart disease, asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia. (37)

Warning: Smoking and Pregnancy

• Smoking increases the risk of low birth weight. (38)
• Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage. (39)
• Babies receive nicotine and carbon monoxide from their mother’s blood. (40)
• Smoking has a direct effect on the growth and long term development of the fetus. (41)

The Good News

• After 15 years off cigarettes, the risk of death for ex-smokers returns to nearly the level of persons who have never smoked. (42)
• The risk of lung cancer for ex-smokers drops to as much as one half that of continuing smokers, after 10 years. (43)
• After 1 year of being smoke free, the excess risk of heart disease caused by smoking is reduced by half. (44)
• Ex-smokers who have been off cigarettes for many years are less likely to die of chronic lung diseases, such as emphysema, than those who continue to smoke. (45)
• Quitting smoking reduces the risk of repeat heart attacks and death from heart disease by 50% or more. (46)
• Women who stop smoking before becoming pregnant or during the first trimester of pregnancy, reduce their risk of having low birth weight babies. (47)

Protect Yourself - Add it all up

• People who quit smoking are more likely than current smokers to exercise regularly. Exercise may help new quitters stay off cigarettes and avoid or minimize weight gain. (48)
• On average, it takes a smoker 3 to 6 times of trying to quit smoking before they are able to quit for good. (49)
• Once you have stopped smoking, you may be tempted to eat more to cope with nicotine cravings. Building healthy, tasty, well-balanced meals and snacks into your day will help you maintain a healthy weight. (58)
• Current smokers have reported others’ smoking as one of their main challenges to quitting, and top reasons for relapse. Creation of supportive environments/smoke-free places (home, car, public places) are proven to motivate smokers to quit smoking and help ex-smokers stay smoke free. (50)

Precontemplation

Contemplation

Preparation

Action

Maintenance

Relapse