Alliston resident Kathy Klemarow has not had a cigarette since March 4, 2008. After smoking for more than 30 years, she attributes a great deal of her smoke-free success to the support she found online.

Her Quit Meter tells her that she has saved $6,540 and has gained 68 days of life since quitting smoking. Klemarow monitors her Quit Meter on Smokers’ Helpline Online (SHO), a program by the Canadian Cancer Society. On the web at www.SmokersHelpline.ca, it offers support, advice and information to Ontarians about quitting smoking and tobacco use.

Like all smokers who want to quit, Klemarow had her own reason for giving up the addiction and all evidence suggests it was one of the best actions she could take to improve her health.

There are more than 4,000 chemicals in a cigarette, 69 of which cause cancer. Tobacco use contributes to 85 per cent of lung cancers and 30 per cent of all cancer cases.

Quitting smoking not only reduces your risk of cancer, but can also provide other health advantages almost immediately. Consider that:

20 minutes after quitting
The temperature in your hands and feet increases.

8 hours after quitting
Oxygen levels in your blood increase to normal.

1 day after quitting
Your lungs begin to function better. Physical activity becomes easier.

2 days after quitting
Your sense of taste and smell start to return.

Within one year of quitting
Your risk of a smoking-related heart attack is cut in half.

“Quitting was the best decision I could have made and I feel so much healthier and happier for it,” says Klemarow. “Though it wasn’t easy, having a support group only a click away at all hours really played a huge role in my success. I just couldn’t break the promise I had made to the Smokers’ Helpline Online community, and to myself.”

If your resolution is to quit smoking this New Year, don’t try to do it alone

The New Year is often the time when many smokers and tobacco users resolve to quit. For many, it isn’t the first time they’ve made this resolution.

About half of all Canadians who ever smoked have already quit successfully. Whether it is a first attempt or a subsequent attempt, it is never too late to quit. To get on track, consider these five tips to help you quit for good this year:

1. Set a quit date.
Choose an ordinary day in the near future. Write it on your calendar. Prepare by cutting down, reflecting on challenges in past quit attempts and gathering the reasons why you want to quit.

2. Bring your friends and family members on board.
Tell the people in your life that you are planning to quit smoking and ask for their support. Ask them not to smoke around you.

3. Make other changes in your life.
Keep a diary to track what you are doing when you feel an urge to smoke. When you understand what makes you want to smoke, try to change these behaviours. For example, if you typically smoke when you drink coffee, you can try switching to tea.

4. Learn about quit aids.
Consult your health care provider for more information on Nicotine Replacement Therapies or prescription medications that may be right for you. These may help you to control withdrawal symptoms and cravings by gradually reducing your body’s dependence on nicotine.

5. Get support.
Research shows that your chances of quitting are greater with support. The Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline is a free, confidential service offered by phone (1 877 513-5333) and online (www.SmokerHelpline.ca). Quit Specialists offer support, advice and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use. They can assist you with creating your personalized quit plan and by answering your questions about quitting.

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Nikki Gentles
Media Profile
nikki.gentles@mediaprofile.com
416-342-1806