Every year thousands of people are greatly affected by lung cancer. More men and women in the US die from lung cancer than any other form of cancer, and many of them are smokers. Being informed can help smokers quit as well as prevent others from forming the habit. In honor of November being National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, here are a few reasons why kicking the smoking habit can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

• Your health and well-being. According to the surgeon general, quitting smoking is the single most important action you can take to increase the length and quality of your life, as well as help prevent lung cancer. As soon as you stop smoking, your body immediately begins to repair the harm that was caused.
• Your finances. Smoking is an incredibly expensive habit to have. With state and federal tax on cigarettes spiking each year, quitting smoking can potentially put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket annually.
• Your social life. There are an increasing number of states that are making it illegal to smoke in public places such as bars, restaurants and hang-out spots. Save yourself some stress from having to go outside multiple times during dinner for a cigarette. Quitting smoking allows you to enjoy your social life more without the headaches.
• Your family and friends. Second-hand cigarette smoke is very harmful to everyone, regardless of who is smoking or not. Exposure can lead to sickness and illness. Kicking the habit means helping protect your loved ones from disease and poor health conditions.

If you’re a smoker or have a loved one who smokes, there are many resources available to kick the habit and quit tobacco use for good.

• Freedom From Smoking is a program that teaches adults the tools and skills needed to successfully quit smoking, as well as providing counseling for the process.
• Not-on-Tobacco focuses on helping teens ages 14-19 overcome their cigarette addiction in a safe, trusted environment.
• American Lung Association provides online tips for parents to engage their children daily about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine addiction.
• The Great American Smokeout on November 17^th. Since 1977, this national event encourages smokers to utilize this date as an opportunity to quit smoking and begin living a healthier lifestyle. On this day, Aventura Hospital will be hosting a kick-off event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help our community live a healthier lifestyle

At Aventura Hosptial and Medical Center, we offer Tobacco Cessation classes to help you quit smoking for good. We have also recently committed to a tobacco-free policy at our facility, which will go into effect on January 1, 2012. If you have questions or concerns, our staff is ready to help. 

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