Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/998906
Think you're too old to quit smoking? Think again! (BPT) - It's no secret that tobacco smoke can be deadly. It is strongly linked to everything from cancer and stroke to pulmonary issues and heart disease. Although the prevalence of smoking in the U.S. decreased from 21 percent to 17 percent of adults over the past five years, according to America's Health Rankings, the risk of dying from cigarette smoking has not decreased. In fact, the risk has increased over the past 50 years, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in five deaths is estimated to be attributed to smoking. One reason it's still so deadly is that tobacco addiction is tough to break. Much of the dramatic drop in smoking rates over the past quarter century is due not to people quitting but to fewer starting in the first place. Even as overall smoking rates have declined, the rate has hardly budged among those 65 and older. Nearly 9 percent of adults aged 65 and older were regular smokers in 2017, meaning more than 4 million older adults could benefit from kicking the habit. Several common misconceptions about smoking and older adults persist. Eliminating these is an essential step in helping long-time smokers quit once and for all. Misconception 1: After smoking for decades, quitting won't make much of a difference to someone's health. Truth: Quitting smoking later in life can reduce the risk of diseases like cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, according to Everyday Health. And people who quit in their 60s are likely to live longer than those who continue to smoke. Additionally, the CDC says, stopping smoking can benefit most major parts of your body - including improving blood flow to help wounds heal properly, and even keeping hearing and night vision sharp.