The Parent Perspective : Breaking the Habit: Support and Tips for Quitting Smoking This November 21

Dear Parents,

Dear Parents,

November 21 is the Great American Smokeout sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The purpose of the day is to quit smoking and spread awareness about the hazards of cigarettes, vapes, and marijuana. Making the commitment to quit for one day can lead to permanently stopping a habit that will destroy your health and shorten your life. If you are a smoker, it is a good time to quit and be a positive role model for your children to either quit or never start. If your child does smoke, quit together.

Here are some facts about cigarettes that you may not be aware of:

1. It takes only eight seconds for nicotine (found in cigarettes) to go to the brain.

2. Teenagers can become addicted to cigarettes in only one day.

3. Nicotine causes strong urges to smoke and creates anxiety and irritability.

4. Nicotine is a gateway to drug use, making the brain more susceptible to cocaine addiction.

5. Smoking can cut your life short by an average of ten years.

Tips to help you quit smoking:

1. Choose a specific day to commit to quitting. The perfect time is November 21st.

2. Get support from those around you. Let them know that you are going to stop smoking so that they can be encouraging.

3. Learn how to replace behaviors that may trigger you to smoke. For example, if you are used to smoking after a meal, replace it with going for a walk or working out. Changing a pattern is important to changing the habit.

4. Talk to your doctor about using medication to quit.

5. Be prepared for difficult situations. If stress is a trigger for you to smoke, learn appropriate coping skills to manage stress.

Make the commitment to yourself and your family to stop smoking.

Warmest regards,

S.A.R.A. Coalition

Information was obtained from:

nih.gov

aahealth.org

More information can be found:

American Cancer Society

Center for Disease Control