Ask Health Coach Mike Connell

Q. What do former smokers say about the benefits of quitting?

A. People who quit smoking are proud of themselves for kicking the habit. Quitting smoking has many health benefits. You will cut down on your risk of developing lung disease, having a heart attack, or getting cancer, to name a few.

Former smokers are glad to be rid of cigarette stains on their fingers, hacking coughs, and the smell of cigarette smoke on their clothing. Other pleasing “side effects” of quitting are an improved sense of smell and taste.

Stopping smoking as early as possible is important, but cessation at any age can improve your quality of life and can even extend it. If you quit smoking at age 35, you will exceed the life expectancy of people who continue to smoke by 6.9 to 8.5 years for men and 6.1 to 7.7 years for women. Smokers who quit at younger ages realize even greater life expectancy. But even those who quit much later in life gain benefits: among smokers who quit at age 55, men gained 1.4 to 2.0 years of life and women gained 2.7 to 3.7 years.

Members can call our health coaches Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call toll-free at 1-800-807-0751.

Mike’s Tips for Success:

• List your reasons for quitting. Memorize the most significant ones and repeat them to yourself every time you have a craving.
• Change your routine to avoid triggers. Have tea instead of coffee, use a different entrance or exit to avoid walking by smokers, take a short, brisk walk when you would normally take a smoke break.
• Clean out your ashtrays and fill them with mints and gum.
• Save the money you would spend on cigarettes and buy yourself a reward after a month or two.
• Exercise regularly.
• Enlist the support of your friends and family.
• Join our smoking cessation program to increase your likelihood of success.
  
  

When you decide you are ready to quit, the MyHealth Ready to Quit program offers a variety of treatment options to help you give up tobacco for good. Options include:

• Ready, Set, Stop! Online tool for those who prefer to quit on their own. Log on to upmchealthplan.com.
• MyHealth Ready to Quit Line at 1-800-807-0751. Health coaches are available to answer questions, offer support, and guide you through the quitting process.

• Journey to a Smoke-Free Life is a guide written by experts at UPMC. To download a free copy, visit upmchealthplan.com.