Thinking About Quitting

Welcome to the “Thinking About Quitting” tobacco page. If you are here, it means that you are taking an important step toward quitting tobacco. Quitting is very important to you and your family’s health. Once you stop, you will notice positive changes almost immediately. Congratulations on looking for more information. We support your efforts and offer a number of programs and services that can assist you during this time. We are here to help.

Smoking facts
Just in the United States, tobacco use, especially smoking, contributes to more than 430,000 deaths each year.

In California, second hand smoke kills about 4,700 non-smokers per year. This means that if you are smoking around others, you could be putting them at risk.

Smoking can cause sexual problems and infertility.

FAQ’s about quitting:
“I really want to quit, but I am afraid of gaining weight. What should I do?”
Only one-third of smokers who quit gain weight. Getting regular physical activity and avoiding high calorie foods (those with a lot of sugar and fat) will help you keep your weight gain minimal.

“I’ve tried to quit smoking before but I always go back. Should I just stop trying because I have not been successful before?”
Most smokers try to quit smoking several times before they finally succeed. Each attempt gives you new information about what works and what does not work for you. Use what you learned in your past experiences in your current effort. The only way to fail is to stop trying.

“What should I do if I have been smoking for a long time? Does it really make a difference if I stop now?”
No matter when you stop, quitting can be beneficial. Here are some good reasons to quit:
• You’ll have fewer colds
• Your shortness of breath and cough will decrease
• You’ll have more spending money
• You’ll have more energy and stamina
• You and your house, hair, clothes, breath and car will smell better
• You’ll look better and healthier
• You’ll have a new sense of control over your life

How soon will I feel the health benefits of quitting?
Did you know that just minutes after quitting, your body starts to feel healthier? Go here to find out more about the health benefits of quitting.

Other resources
Quit Smoking Featured Health Topic
QuitNET
All About Smoking from the American Lung Association
Guide to Quit Smoking from the American Cancer Society

Disclaimer
If you think you have a MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest hospital. DO NOT attempt to access emergency care through this web site. An emergency medical condition is a medical or psychiatric condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in any of the following: serious jeopardy to your health, serious impairment to your bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. An emergency medical condition is also "active labor," which means a labor when there is inadequate time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery or if a transfer poses a threat to the health of the member or unborn child.

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