Facts About Smoking Cessation

According to the American Cancer Society, 8.6 million Americans suffer from smoking-related heart and lung diseases, and 20 percent of the American population dies from a smoking-related illness every year. Although the short-term side effects from smoking may deter smokers from quitting, the overall benefits are difficult to deny.

Side Effects

• Smoking cessation causes both psychological and physical side effects. The psychological side effects include anxiety, sadness, boredom, short-term quick temper and general crankiness. Physical side effects include sinus pressure, feeling cold, shaking, coughing, runny nose, insomnia, stomach pains, digestion issues and generalized feelings of tiredness and pain throughout the body.

Time Frame

• After 8 hours of no smoking, the nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood are greatly reduced. Oxygen levels in the blood return to normal, and the chances of suffering a heart attack are reduced by half.

Benefits

• Additional benefits of quitting smoking include lower blood pressure and pulse, reduced cough, a return of normal mucous production and enhanced vision by 15 to 20 percent.

Features

• Smoking cessation means you will no longer smell like cigarettes, yellowing of the teeth and fingernails will eventually disappear, sense of smell will return and you'll no longer have to plan your life around supplying yourself with cigarettes or lighters.

Considerations

• Smoking is an expensive habit, with cigarette prices varying from state to state based on local taxes. In Michigan, as of November 2009, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes is about $5.50 per pack. Smoking one pack per day costs $2,007.50 per year.