The
American Cancer Society is marking the 37th Great American Smokeout tomorrow by
encouraging smokers to kick the habit.
The cumulative impact of smoking extends far beyond immediate nicotine satisfaction. Smoking
affects your health, your wealth and your social life.
Studies have shown that smokers incur greater health care costs than non-smokers. Among other things, smoking causes:
- Suppressed
immunity resulting in increased frequency of communicable illnesses such as
colds, flu, etc.
- Premature
births, resulting in lifelong health complications.
- Increased risk for lung cancer, emphysema and respiratory
complications.
- Reduced
effectiveness of some medications.
There's also an economic impact associated with smoking, including lost work hours and wages associated with smoke-break frequencies, an increased susceptibility to illness resulting in increased sick days and absenteeism and payment
of high taxes for both tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine products
For non-smokers, smoking results in unappealing smells, tearing eyes, and coughing and wheezing when in close
proximity to smokers. Many
try to avoid exposure risk to second-hand smoke, which is associated with
cancer.
UPMC maintains a smoke-free campus, meant to assure a
quality health service experience and safe work environment. Smoking is
prohibited at all UPMC hospital campuses and owned facilities. Additionally,
UPMC does not allow use of electric cigarettes of any kind anywhere other than
designated smoking areas. Signage providing guidance regarding designated smoking
areas is located at main facility entrances. Additional guidance to designated
smoking areas can be found in wayfinding pamphlets.
For those
interested in quitting, resources for smoking cessation include:
