Newbies,
Congratulations on quitting! Here is what you can expect in terms of benefits:
Social Benefits
• If you pay any kind of health insurance, your premiums will decrease.
• You’ll feel in control, instead of feeling that cigarettes controlling them.
• You’ll feel an enhanced sense of self-esteem.
• Your family will no longer be subjected to second-hand smoke, and as a result they’ll be healthier, both now and in the future.
• You’ll begin to gain a healthy appearance.
• You won't have to leave any non-smoking gatherings just to have a smoke.
• Smoking is very expensive – you’ll see your bank account grow or you can put your money towards something that you’ve always wanted.
• Compared to smokers, people who quit are more likely to exercise regularly.
Specific Benefits to Women
• If women didn't smoke during pregnancy, fetal and infant deaths would be reduced by approximately 10%.
• Women who quit smoking before pregnancy or during the first 3 to 4 months of pregnancy have the same low risk of having a low birth weight baby as women who have never smoked.
• For women who quit smoking in the later stages of pregnancy, infants have higher birth weight compared to women who continue to smoke.
• 2 years after the last cigarette, their risk of cervical cancer reduces.
• Non-smokers reach menopause 1 - 2 years later than smokers.
Specific Benefits to Seniors
Smoking in later life has also been associated with higher rates of physical disability, poorer self-perceived health status, higher levels of depressive symptoms, lower levels of physical function, bone mineral density, pulmonary function, and muscle strength.
Seniors who quit smoking bring about improvement in general health and well-being.
Life Expectancy
• If a smoker quits before age 35, their life expectancy is the same as non-smokers.
• If a smoker quits between the age of 35 and 65, add 5 years to their life expectancy as compared to others who continues to smoke.
• If a smoker quits between the age of 65 and 74, add 1 year to their life expectancy as compared to someone who continues to smoke.
Which benefit are you most looking forward to?
Ashley, Health Educator
