Smoking

Smoking-related diseases claim close to 500,000 American lives each year.
Smoking costs the United States nearly $100 billion each year in health-care costs and lost productivity. It is directly responsible for 87 percent of lung cancer cases and causes most cases of emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Why Quit?

After one year off cigarettes, the excess risk of coronary heart disease caused by smoking is reduced by half. After 15 years of abstinence, the risk is similar to that for people who've never smoked.

In 5 to 15 years, the risk of stroke for ex-smokers returns to the level of those who've never smoked.

Male smokers who quit between ages 35 to 39 add an average of 5 years to their lives. Female quitters in this age group add 3 years. Men and women who quit at ages 65 to 69 increase their life expectancy by 1 year.

But there are also many other great benefits of quitting smoking you might not think about, like:

Your food will taste better

You will have more energy

Your breath, hair, and clothes won't smell like smoke anymore

You will feel more in control, now that you're no longer dependent on cigarettes

You can save up to $1,500 per year or more (for a pack-a-day smoker)

Most smokers say they want to quit. With good smoking cessation programs, 20 to 40 percent of participants are able to quit smoking and stay off cigarettes for at least one year.

Will this be the year that you kick the habit?