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Smoking Cessation
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It is not too late to quit
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Each year, 438,000 Americans die from smoking related illnesses. Cigarette smoke
can cause lung cancer in both smokers and non-smokers. Lung cancer causes 90% of
smoking related deaths. Smoking can also cause heart and lung disease. Smoking is
dangerous to children. Children can get sick from second-hand smoke.
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Not smoking is the best way to have a smoke-free life with your family. It is not
easy to quit smoking. With help, effort and a plan, it can be done. A person can
make several attempts to quit before success.
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Be positive. Learn how to handle stress. Reward yourself for not smoking. Occupy
your time. Keep your hands busy. Take deep breaths. Prepare yourself for relapse
and beat it. Figure out why you smoke. Set goals based on those reasons. Setting
these goals may help you to ignore your cravings. Family and friends will show support
when they see your efforts. Ask people not to smoke around you. Here are some helpful
tips:
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• Tell family and friends that you are quitting
• When in a car, ask those with you not to smoke
• Ask friends and family not to smoke around you
• Walk away from people who are smoking
• Go to places that do not allow smoking
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Addiction is the number one reason why people smoke. Smoking becomes a habit that
is hard to break. Smokers do not realize how much they smoke. People often smoke
during times of stress or at social events.
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It may take as many as 6 times before you can quit smoking. Medications and therapy
may help you quit sooner. UHC offers medications and a support program to help you
quit. Ask your doctor which medications can help you quit smoking.
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There are free programs that can help you through the quitting process. Look for
local support programs or ask your doctor for information. The Florida Quit-Line
is a local program you can use. The Florida Quit-Line offers counseling over the
phone. You can call them at (877) UCAN-NOW. For more information on how to stop
smoking, call us at (866) 690-4842.
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DISCLAIMER: The Information on this site is not intended to take the place
of your doctor or other healthcare professionals. It is a resource to help you make
the best decisions and get the most from the medical services available to you.
A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of all medical
conditions.
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