E-cigarettes are marketed as a safer alternative than traditional cigarettes. This doesn’t make e-cigarette use (also known as vaping or JUULing, after a popular brand of e-cigarette) a healthy activity. E-cigs still contain nicotine and cancer-causing agents found in traditional smoking devices.
Although researchers are still determining the long-term effects of vaping, scientists have found that young vapers may be more likely to smoke traditional cigarettes in the future. The presence of nicotine, a highly addictive substance, can harm a developing adolescent brain and increase the risk for future addiction to other drugs
Quitting smoking - of any type - is the most important step you can take to protect your lungs and improve quality of life.
Some benefits of quitting smoking are:
- Likely prolong your life
- Reduce the risk of developing lung cancer, throat cancer, lung disease (emphysema or COPD), heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers or gum disease
- Feel healthier
- Improved sense of taste and smell
- Save money
How to quit smoking
There’s no single way to quit smoking that works for everyone. A smoking cessation program may be helpful. Ask your doctor about a program in your community.
Make a plan to help you quit.
- Pick a date to stop smoking and prepare for it.
- Tell your family and friends so they can support you.
- Record when and why you smoke so you are aware of triggers.
- Record what you do when you smoke.
- List your reasons for quitting.
- Find activities to replace smoking.
- Ask your doctor about using nicotine replacement products.
Tips to help you succeed:
- Think about what you are gaining instead of what you are missing.
- Read your list of reasons for quitting.
- When you get the urge to smoke, take a deep breath and hold it for 10 seconds, then release it slowly.
- Keep your hands busy.
- Don’t carry a lighter, matches or cigarettes.
- Go to places that don’t allow smoking.
- Eat low calorie, healthy foods, such as carrot or celery sticks, fresh fruit and fat-free snacks; avoid sugary or spicy foods.
- Drink lots of fluids such as water, herbal teas and juices; avoid alcoholic drinks.
- Exercise to help you relax.
- Hang out with nonsmokers.
- Talk to others for support.
Possible withdrawal symptoms:
- Crave cigarettes
- Feel very hungry
- Cough
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Constipation
- Feel very tired
- Feel nervous or sad
- Sore throat
- Difficulty sleeping
Although withdrawal symptoms will be the strongest when you first quit, they will quickly improve and should go away within a few weeks. Don’t give up!
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