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(Mirror Daily, United States) – On every third Thursday of November, The Great American Smokeout encourages you to quit your habit for at least one day, and that might change your life. Since 1976, the American Cancer Society (ACS) prompts smokers to drop their vice at least for 24 hours. This year has been the campaign’s 39th anniversary.
According to Mary Lough from the ACS, by quitting for a day, perhaps smokers could realize that they could effectively quit for the rest of their lives. It’s a vital aspect that could highly benefit their health later on in life. The consequences of smoking will forever be felt, but the risk will lower. However, the longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be.
The risk of lung cancer is the highest for those who have a long history of smoking. By quitting, the chances are reduced dramatically even though the damage would not be undone. But smokers would gain back those years they would have lost if they continued with their habit. The ACS encourages the fact that it’s never too late.
While smoking rates have decreased from the 42% of the population that indulged in a cigarette back in 1965, it’s still an ongoing problem. Reportedly, 17% of American adults currently smoke, and around 16 million of the United States are living with diseases caused by the unhealthy vice. This may lead to several conditions that are potentially life threatening.
Along with lung cancer, smoking increases the risk for cardiovascular problems, diabetes, pregnancy complications, osteoporosis, and gum diseases. These are risks heightened for longtime smokers. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims that 480,000 people die each year due to cigarettes.
Numerous campaigns have tried to discourage the vice, and the numbers are improving. There is no doubt that smoking has absolutely no benefits where health is concerned. And, even more, it has been proven numerous times that it’s the only habit that is unsafe even in small amounts. Just one cigarette is more damaging than none.
For example, this could be compared with certain types of alcohol. One glass of wine could be better than none, as it has been suggested that it has numerous benefits for the health. Smoking, however, does not.
The U.S. Preventive Task Force encourages adults between the ages of 55 to 80 years old, who are smokers or have quit within the past 15 years to get screened for lung cancer. Low-dose CT scans have shown themselves to be highly efficient, and with no consequences due to the radiation exposure.