Today is the Great American Smokeout, a day dedicated to helping smokers quit. Even smokers know that smoking is bad for you, but they continue to puff or chew. Why? Unfortunately the answer is almost as complex as the damage the smoke is doing to your body. But quitting, no matter how long you have smoked, is possible! It takes a personal commitment and a will to battle through the hard times and not be upset by turn backs.

So, to add fuel to your quitting fire, let’s take a look at what inhaling smoke actually does to your body.

When you smoke, toxins are carried to every organ in your body and carbon monoxide keeps your blood from carrying the amount of oxygen it would on a normal basis. These two effects together keep your body from working the way it should.

While a lot is known about the association of lung and oral cancer with smoking, did you know that smoking can increase hip fractures?

How about its linkage to pancreas, stomach, kidney and bladder cancer?

Smoking can affect gum disease and thus tooth loss, premature birth and pregnancy complications, and cataracts.

With these resounding reasons to quit, why do people continue to smoke?

Well, most smokers actually want to quit.  If you’re in that group, don’t be discouraged. It took most of today’s ex-smokers more than one try, too.

Quitting is hard. Physically, your body is reacting to the lack of nicotine. Psychologically, your mind is struggling to give up the habit. But it is possible and with each cigarette you skip, the better you’ll feel.  We hope you will look back and wonder what took you so long. Check out http://www.idaho.quitnet.com/ for some local help.

Leave us a comment and let us know how quitting is going. You can also Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.