M artin L uther K ing J r .
Page 20
January 13. 2010
2010 s p e c ia l e d it ion
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c a n c e r-c a u sin g
agents, including
nicotine, tar, and
carbon m onox
ide. S m oking
causes 87 percent of lung cancer
At the beginning of a new year, deaths and increases the risk of
many Americans try to get healthy developing cervical and other can
and kick bad habits. If you smoke, cers. Smokers are more likely to ex
quitting should be at the top of your perience heart attack, stroke, em
list.
physema, bronchitis, osteoporosis,
Each puff of cigarette smoke ex rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts, and
poses users to 2,5(M) chemicals and infertility than nonsmokers are.
by
D r . G erm . h F. J oseph J r .
Kick Butts
in 2010!
Pregnant women who smoke put
their babies at a higher risk for
preterm birth, low birth weight, sud
den infant death syndrome, poor
lung function, asthma, and bronchi
tis. The harmful chemicals in ciga
rette smoke are also passed through
breast milk to babies.
Smokers who quit can stop or
reverse the damage caused by ciga
rettes. In the days and months after
you quit, your heart rate and blood
pressure drop to healthier levels,
and your breathing, circulation, and
sense of smell and taste may im
prove. Heart attack risk decreases
by 50 percent within the first year
after quitting, and the chances of
developing lung cancer, heart dis
ease, and other ailments fall to nearly
that of a nonsmoker in the first few
years.
If you are thinking about quit
ting, talk to your doctor about meth
ods that may help you succeed.
Nicotine replacement products,
such as patches, gum, nasal spray,
inhalers, and lozenges, can help sat
isfy urges. Your doctor may also
prescribe m edications such as
bupropion or varenicline to help
you stop smoking. Using one or a
combination of these methods can
double your chances of quitting.
Smokers can call 800-QUIT-
NOW, a free national smoking ces
sation hotline, to speak with trained
counselors who will help develop
individualizedquit plans. Your doc
tor will also have information on
support groups, such as Nicotine
Anonymous, and other local smok
ing cessation resources.
According to the American Can
cer Society, most smokers say they
want to stop smoking. But it takes
most smokers several tries to finally
quit for good.
Dr. Gerald F. Joseph Jr. is presi
dent o f the American College o f
Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Growing healthy families together.
Connect with WIC.
Investing in Oregon’s future with nutrition education and healthy foods
Learn more about how the Oregon W IC Program helps fam ilies:
Oregon
wic
program
www.wic.oregon.gov
1-800-SAFENET (1-800-723-3628)
W IC is an equal o p p o rtu n ity provider and em ployer.
Oregon Department
of Human Services