Quitting smoking is the best present you could ever give yourself and your family

Did you know that 4,700 New Zealanders die every year from smoking-related health problems? You have probably heard it all before, but smoking can cause many risks to your health including:

• Heart attack
• Cancer
• Bronchitis
• Sterility
• Gangrene
• Emphysema
• Miscarriage and premature birth
• Gum disease
• Stroke
• Impotence & Infertility
• Pleurisy
• Stilbirth, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)

When you smoke, your lungs cannot get the oxygen it needs for your body to function properly. Your heart needs to work harder to try to get the oxygen to circulate through your body. You end up feeling unfit, coughing, feeling short of breath and lack of energy.

Most smokers don’t want to think about these health risks, but you cannot avoid the facts. Illness in smokers has been studied and smoker’s account for most of the deaths and illnesses listed above. It also affects the health of others around you.

Second-hand smoke can cause the same health problems as smokers. Smoking around children results in them more likely suffering from asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and glue ear.

It is never too late to quit. Only you can make the decision to change your life – smoking cessation support is readily available, speak with your doctor today if you wish to stop smoking.

*Source: Ministry of Health