Health

Senior Years: A Great Time to Quit Smoking

"I've been smoking nearly all my life," you might be thinking. "What good would it do me to quit now?"

The simple answer: A lot.

Research shows that the body's tissues have a surprising talent for bouncing back from the damage done by cigarettes. Quitting the habit at virtually any age may not only lengthen your life, but will also give you better health and vitality during your remaining years.

Likewise, medical science has come a long way in helping people combat the physical and psychological cravings of nicotine withdrawal. While very few smokers say that quitting in middle age or later is a snap, it's definitely doable. And chances are, there's a smoking cessation program near you that can help you start today in kicking the habit for good.

Still need convincing that the pros of quitting outweigh the cons? Here's a quick overview…

CONS: Smoking doubles your chances of a heart attack or stroke. More than 90 percent of lung cancers and other respiratory diseases are caused by smoking, and smoking plays a role in about a third of all cancers. Smoking decreases your physical endurance, exposes your friends and family to dangerous second-hand smoke, and can cause impotence in men.

PROS: When you quit the cigarette habit, you'll not only lessen your risk of cancer, reduce the stress on your heart and blood vessels, and improve the lung health of your loved ones—your nagging smoker's cough will likely be reduced or eliminated. From a psychological point of view, you'll have the confidence of knowing that cigarettes no longer control you life. You'll be a healthier parent for your children, and will have more money to spend on other things.

Ready to make that step? To find a smoking cessation class near you, call the National Cancer Institute at 1-877-44-UQUIT, or the American Lung Association at (205) 933-8821 in Alabama, toll-free at 1-800-548-8252, or visit the Association's web site at www.lungusa.org.