Newswise — NEW YORK, December 29, 2014 - Each year on January 1st, Americans make goals for the New Year, ranging from getting in shape and spending more time with their families to decreasing debt. This year, make a resolution that will not only improve your health, but also save you money— quit smoking. According to the Surgeon General’s most recent tobacco-related report, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and premature death worldwide.
The health benefits of quitting smoking are immediate. Within 2 minutes, blood pressure and heart rate return to normal, within 2-12 weeks, circulation improves, and within 1 year, heart attack risk is halved. “Quitting smoking is the single most important step a smoker can take to improve the length and quality of his or her life,” said Donna Shelley, MD, MPH, associate professor and co-director of the Section on Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Use at the NYU School of Medicine.
Planning ahead can help make your resolution to quit smoking a reality. To make your quit attempt a success, follow these five steps:
1. Talk to your doctor about quitting. Doctors can provide you with the necessary counseling and help you choose the best Nicotine Replacement Therapy for you. If you talk to your doctor and use medications, you double your chances of quitting.
2. Create a quit plan. Set a quit date and let loved ones know so that they can support your efforts.
3. Make your home smoke-free. Eliminate tobacco products and encourage any other smokers at home to quit with you.
4. Identify triggers (eg: stress, alcohol, etc.), and find healthy alternatives to smoking.
5. Take advantage of the free resources available in New York State, including the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS or www.nysmokefree.com. The NY State Smokers’ Quitline offers free telephone counseling and provides those who qualify with 2-weeks of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy. The more help and support you have, the better your chances of quitting for good.
With help from your doctor and the NY State Smokers’ Quitline, you can make a plan, start Nicotine Replacement Therapy, get support, and take the necessary steps to meet your New Year’s Resolution.
About NYC Treats TobaccoNYC Treats Tobacco (NYCTT) is a project funded by the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control and is led by the NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health. NYCTT supports health care organizations, particularly those serving low income and mentally ill patient populations, to implement policies and system changes that will ensure that all patients are routinely screened for tobacco use and all tobacco users are offered evidence-based treatment for nicotine dependence.
About NYU Langone Medical CenterNYU Langone Medical Center, a world-class, patient-centered, integrated academic medical center, is one of the nation’s premier centers for excellence in clinical care, biomedical research, and medical education. Located in the heart of Manhattan, NYU Langone is composed of four hospitals—Tisch Hospital, its flagship acute care facility; Rusk Rehabilitation; the Hospital for Joint Diseases, the Medical Center’s dedicated inpatient orthopaedic hospital; and Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, a comprehensive pediatric hospital supporting a full array of children’s health services across the Medical Center—plus the NYU School of Medicine, which since 1841 has trained thousands of physicians and scientists who have helped to shape the course of medical history. The Medical Center’s tri-fold mission to serve, teach, and discover is achieved 365 days a year through the seamless integration of a culture devoted to excellence in patient care, education, and research. For more information, go to www.NYULMC.org, and interact with us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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