Is summer a good time to quit smoking?
Summer can be the perfect time to quit smoking, especially during a vacation!
Still today, more than 20% of the Quebec population smokes. And yet, people are now well aware of the risks associated with smoking, namely cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory diseases. In addition to lung cancer, smokers have an increased risk of several other types of cancer, including cancers developing in the bladder, throat, esophagus, intestines and ovaries. Once a person quits smoking, those various health risks gradually decrease and eventually match those in the general population.
There is no magic formula to quit smoking. The first step is to want to quit, for your own sake. You must then surround yourself with a support network, which can include family, friends, and even healthcare professionals. The source of the support doesn’t matter; the important thing is to feel supported.
It is also very important to plan ahead before taking the plunge. Choose a time when your stress level is manageable and you feel good mentally. Don’t tackle this important step if you’re already dealing with stress at work or at home. For many people, summer is a quieter time at work, so this can be a good time to quit smoking.
Take some time to speak with your pharmacist also. Pharmacists now have an expanded scope of practice and can therefore prescribe a suitable smoking cessation aid, if you want one.
If you’ve tried to quit smoking in the past, take the time to ask yourself what worked and what went wrong. This can help you avoid making the same mistakes this time.
Don’t hesitate to seek your pharmacist’s help and advice!
Related services
- Smoking cessation
