On a regular basis, the US Surgeon General offers reports on smoking and tobacco use. 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of that first report in January 1964 that linked smoking with lung cancer.
This year’s report links smoking to:
Coronary heart disease and stroke
Lung diseases such as COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis
Cancer of the –
•Bladder
•Bone marrow and blood
•Cervix
•Esophagus
•Kidneys and ureters
•Larynx (voice box)
•Lungs
•Mouth, nose, and throat
•Pancreas
•Stomach
•Trachea
Infertility for both men and women
For babies:
◦Preterm (early) delivery
◦Stillbirth (death of the baby before birth)
◦Low birth weight
◦Sudden infant death syndrome (known as SIDS or crib death)
Lower bone density (weaker bones) than women who never smoked and are at greater risk for broken bones.
Health of teeth and gums and can cause tooth loss.1
Cataracts (clouding of the eye’s lens that makes it hard for you to see).1
*Diabetes is harder to control.
I was thrilled that the drug store CVS stopped selling cigarettes and other tobacco products at its more than 7,600 retail stores as of October 1, a decision, the LA Times noted when it reported this back in January:
that would make it the first national pharmacy company to cease tobacco sales. The move… comes after years of pressure from public health advocates and medical providers, who have urged retailers to make tobacco products and advertising less available, particularly to children and teenagers.
It also marks a major turn for one of the country’s biggest healthcare companies. CVS Caremark is the second-largest drugstore chain behind Walgreen Co. and has been steadily increasing its business, providing medical care through its pharmacists and through a growing number of urgent care clinics at its retail locations.
There is help for quitting. An ex-smoker friend of mine suggested Quitnet, but whatever works will make your life longer. And better.
Today is the Great American Smokeout.
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Read Mark Evanier’s Tales of My Mother #19.