There is no way around it — smoking cigarettes is bad for your health. Since the American Cancer Society first announced a link between cigarette smoking and cancer in 1954, the habit was found to not only cause cancer, but it’s also been linked to heart disease, emphysema, coronary artery disease, tooth decay, and circulatory problems, among other issues. If you are a smoker, Kona Community Hospital — a hospital and health care services center in Kealakekua, HI — would like you to make quitting smoking your resolution this year.

Today, there are roughly 40 million cigarette smokers in America. Although the dangers of smoking have been proven, nicotine is highly addictive, making it difficult for many cigarette smokers to quit. Additionally, cigarettes remain legal and readily available in most areas, so many smokers feel less incentivized to drop the habit. However, if you are interested in quitting for good but need some guidance, read below for some tips on how to quit:

• Get the Information You Need: Many hospitals and clinics offer pamphlets, programs, and tools to aid you in smoking cessation. These resources can provide you with information on why you should quit, tips for staying focused, and more.
• Track Your Goals: While some people can quit cold turkey and never smoke a cigarette again, most lifelong smokers know it isn’t always that simple. Help yourself stay focused and motivated by setting goals (i.e., no cigarettes for a week), keeping track of your progress, and maybe even rewarding yourself with a gift for every milestone (such as one month, six months, one year, etc).
• Remind Yourself Why You Need to Do This: Your health, your quality of life, or simply the ability to see your children grow older — whatever your reason for quitting is, remind yourself often. By constantly reinforcing why you want to quit, you move forward towards a positive future that will outweigh the satisfaction of one more cigarette.  

For more information on smoking cessation, you can read the following article from Kona Community Hospital on the importance of quitting. For other services including emergency physician services or rehabilitation, visit the hospital online.