US Surgeon General released its first report of the Advisory Committee on Smoking in Health in 1964, which identified smoking as a cause of lung cancer and chronic bronchitis, despite significant progress since the publication of the first report of the Surgeon General. more than 50 years ago, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and death in the United States, and Licking County is no exception

smoking accounts for 87% of lung cancer deaths , 32% of deaths from coronary heart disease and 79% of all cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). t caused by smoking. Smoking causes colorectal and hepatic cancer and increases the rate of treatment failure for all cancers. Smoking also causes diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and weakness of the immune system, and increases the risk of tuberculosis and death, ectopic (misleading) pregnancy and reduced fertility, cleft lip and cleft palate in smoking babies In the early stages of pregnancy, erectile dysfunction and despite all the well-known risks of smoking and smoking, the smoking rate in Ohio remains one of the highest in the United States with 22.5% of adults in the United States. Ohio smoking cigarettes in 2016, compared with only 15.5% nationwide. . The reported smoking rate in Licking County is even higher, with 24 percent of adults smoking in 2015.

Nicotine in tobacco is addictive and makes it difficult to stop. More than half of smokers have tried to quit at least once in the last year. While most former smokers quit smoking without effective treatment for smokers who want help, there are tools to help smokers quit successfully. Here are some examples: getting advice and help from your doctor to quit smoking, participating in individual, group or telephone counseling sessions, and apps using mobile phones that support the efforts of your doctor. ; abandonment. Smoking cessation medications have been found to be effective in increasing the odds of success, including nicotine replacement products such as patches and gum, and prescription drugs

. In July, declare your independence from tobacco / nicotine addiction. Quitting smoking is a marathon, not a sprint, and this may take several attempts, but there is no reason to go it alone. Get help using the treatments and resources available to help you cross the finish line.

Free programs available include the Ohio Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW) and the Community Cessation Initiative of the Licking County Health Department (1-866-525-2132) who can refer to local groups or individual counseling resources.

Submitted by Licking County Health Commissioner Joe Ebel, RS, MS, MBA

Read or Share this Story: https: / /ohne.ws/2unool5