Benefits and guidance to help you be smoke-free

Tobacco use is among the leading causes of death and health-related issues in our society. Yet, it is also one of the most preventable risk factors.

Choosing to be smoke-free is one of the most personal and important decisions you can make. Let us share our experience and expertise with you, and help you begin your life as a non-tobacco user.

Think about the reasons to be tobacco-free:

• Maybe your doctor has urged you to stop smoking.
• Maybe a good friend or family member has a smoking-related illness like lung cancer.
• Maybe you're tired of being herded outside whenever you want to smoke.
• Maybe you're just sick and tired of paying higher and higher prices for a product you know is not good for you.
• Maybe you want to be healthier and live longer.

No matter what your reasons are, it is important to get the support you need. If you quit, health improvements start right away and continue to get better. If you've tried before, remember: every time you try to quit, you increase your chance of succeeding.

In addition to your own benefits, being smoke-free helps those around you. Secondhand smoke is known to cause many health problems and make others worse. Whoever is near you when you're smoking, you're doing them a favor when you quit.

"The scientific evidence is now indisputable: Secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance. It is a serious health hazard that can lead to disease and premature death in children and non-smoking adults."
-- Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona

For individuals who want to be smoke-free

Websites and phone numbers below can connect you to a lot of free resources to help you be smoke-free. A good start is to ask: "Do I want to stop smoking now?" (Opens in Adobe Acrobat.) Use the chart to write down reasons to smoke and reasons to quit. This can help you think about your options in a new light.

If this helps you choose to be smoke-free, there is more guidance online. Being smoke-free is something you can do, and it's something you'll be glad you've done.

For businesses that want to be smoke-free

Our goal is for all Mississippi employers to provide a 100% smoke-free workplace for their employees. You can have a healthier workplace with better attendance and productivity by becoming a smoke-free workplace. We know because we've done it, and we want you to benefit from our experience.

"Reducing cigarette consumption by approximately 12% will save Mississippi $14.5 million on heart attack and stroke costs."
-- Dr. Robert McMillen, Research Fellow & Associate Research Professor, Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University

Health benefits of choosing to be smoke-free

Choosing to quit smoking can be one of the most important decisions you make to improve your health and quality of life. It can be difficult, but the choice is yours to make. You may wonder how soon your health will improve after quitting smoking. Here are some benefits you will see:

• 20 minutes: Blood pressure drops to the level you had before your last cigarette and the temperature of your hands and feet returns to normal.
• 24 hours: Your chance of a heart attack decreases.
• 1 to 9 months: Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease: cilia regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection.
• 1 year: Chance of having a heart attack is cut in half.
• 5 years: Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
• 15 years: Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker.

be healthy. be smoke-free.

Resources for assistance