Trinity Health Michigan Health Expert Highlights Dangers Behind Smoking and Vaping

In recognition of the Great American Smokeout on November 16, Robin Fowler, a Health Promotion Program Coordinator at Trinity Health Michigan, participated in a Q&A to discuss how smoking cigarettes negatively impacts a person’s health, as well as the dangers behind vaping.

Q: What is the Great American Smokeout?

Fowler: The Great American Smokeout is an event organized by the American Cancer Society that first began in 1977. It takes place every year on the third Thursday of November, with the goal of helping people quit smoking. If you smoke and have considered quitting, there is no better time to do it than right now.

Q: What are the health detriments for people who smoke?

Fowler: Nicotine, which is a chemical in tobacco, is the third-most addictive substance and has similar addictive properties to morphine and cocaine. Every year, an estimated 480,000 people die from smoking cigarettes, and 42,000 people die from second-hand smoke. All in all, smoking equates to 29 percent of all cancer-related deaths. Tobacco use can lead to blood clots and heart-related issues like strokes and heart attacks, increases your blood pressure, and causes respiratory problems like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), just to name a few.

Q: What are the health benefits for people who quit?

Fowler: When it comes to tobacco use, quitting cold turkey is not the most effective strategy. To quit successfully, we recommend a combination therapy, following national guidelines, and working with a primary care doctor to create a customized plan that is right for you. Once people do quit, they will begin seeing benefits in as little as 20 minutes, which is how long it takes for your blood pressure and heart rate to drop from not using tobacco. Your circulation and lung function will increase between two weeks and three months and, in one to nine months, your coughing and shortness of breath will decrease. Within one year, your risk of coronary artery disease will be cut in half. The benefits are truly remarkable when you choose to give up tobacco.

Q: Is vaping just as bad as smoking a cigarette?

Fowler: Despite what people may think, vaping is not a healthy alternative to tobacco, which is alarming considering young people are using vapes. According to the CDC, one out of every 22 middle schoolers have used a vape in the last 30 days, and one out of every 10 high schoolers have done the same.

When you vape, you are inhaling aerosol, which can cause inflammation of the lungs and can even paralyze your cilia, which helps keep our airways clear of dirt and mucus. I cannot emphasize enough how vaping is not “healthier” than traditional tobbaco and how it can lead to very serious health conditions.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to add?

Fowler: If you use tobacco products — including vapes — and can’t stop, there is help for you out there. You can call the Michigan Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-480-7848. It’s never too late to make a change, and now is the very best time to do so.

For more help on how to quit, and for resources available through Trinity Health Michigan, please click here.