Nicotine and smoking cessation
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. In fact, nearly a half million deaths — or one in five deaths — is attributed to smoking each year.
Smoking affects the entire body and is the leading cause of lung cancer. Smokers are at at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease such as heart disease and stroke, for respiratory disease and for cancer in many parts of the body.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF QUITTING
Smoking and nicotine use affects the entire body. It is the leading cause of lung cancer and leads to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and cancer in many parts of the body.
Over time, people who quit smoking see many benefits in their health. After you smoke your last cigarette, your body begins a series of positive changes that continue for years. According to the CDC, quitting smoking:
- Improves health status and enhances quality of life
- Reduces the risk of premature death and can add as much as 10 years to life expectancy
- Reduces the risk of many adverse health effects, including poor reproductive health outcomes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer
- Benefits people already diagnosed with coronary heart disease or COPD
Quitting smoking is also the single best way to protect others from the health risks associated with breathing secondhand smoke.
2024 Nicotine Cessation Program
Maury Regional Health periodically offers a free nicotine cessation program for those who want to kick the habit of cigarettes, vaping products or smokeless tobacco. This four-week series is led by a respiratory therapist and former smoker who understands the challenges of quitting.
The most recent nicotine cessation program was available in January 2024. A new session has not yet been added to the calendar. This page will be updated as new class dates become available.