Search Here

This New Year's Day, thousands of smokers will resolve to stop smoking. While it may sound easier but for most smokers, it's a very hard habit to quit. Now, the Michigan Health Department vows to help smokers have a tobacco-free lifestyle through its new Tobacco Quitline.

The Michigan Tobacco Quitline is an evidence-based service that provides free telephone coaching for residents and nicotine replacement therapy to those who qualify for the program. Aside from these, it also provides services such as materials, text messaging, referral to all Michigan residents and an online program.

"Quitting tobacco can be challenging because nicotine is a highly addictive drug. But whether a person chooses to quit during the holiday season or as a New Year's resolution, there are resources available to help," Kim Comerzan, a health officer, said as reported by Monroe News.

"The holidays can be a stressful time, but smoking doesn't have to be a part of them. Calling the Michigan Tobacco Quitline now can help people make the holidays, and 2017, tobacco-free. Quitting tobacco today will lead to a lifetime of health benefits," she added.

Benefits Of Quitting Smoking

According to the American Cancer Society, the sooner people quit smoking, the more they can reduce the risk of acquiring cancer and other diseases. In fact, within just 20 minutes after quitting smoking, the heart rate and blood pressure drop. After 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal.

By 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting smoking, the blood circulation in the body improves and the lung function increases. By year one, the excess risk of coronary heart disease drops by half compared to someone who still smokes. By 5 years, the risk of cancer in the mouth, esophagus, throat and bladder is reduced by half.

After 10 years, the risk of dying from lung cancer is also reduced by half and by 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker's.

Other Ways To Quit Smoking

Aside from seeking professional help through quitlines, finding a nicotine replacement could help people quit smoking. Health care professionals could recommend and prescribe replacement methods for those planning to quit.

The Week reports that the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom recommends nicotine replacement therapy as a common quitting method. These provide a variety of ways to ingest nicotine without smoking tobacco. In fact, studies have shown that this method increases the chance of successfully quitting tobacco smoking by about 50 to 70 percent.

Other methods include asking for professional help, keeping oneself busy, reading self-help books, ask for support from family, friends and the community.