Quitting Smoking

Why Quitting Smoking is Crucial for COPD Management

If you smoke and have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), quitting smoking is the most effective way to slow disease progression and improve your overall health. Tobacco smoking and exposure are leading risk factors for the worsening of COPD and increased mortality rates, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Continuing to smoke can accelerate the deterioration of your lung function, whereas quitting smoking can help slow this process.

Key Points:

• Slowing Disease Progression: Smoking cessation can significantly slow down the loss of lung function in COPD patients, even though it may not return lung function to normal.
• Environment Matters: Maintaining a smoke-free environment and avoiding exposure to other smokers are critical for managing COPD effectively.
• Early Exposure Risks: Early exposure to tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is linked to worse long-term outcomes, with nearly half of high school students in the U.S. having used tobacco products, and 1 in 4 using e-cigarettes.

How Smoking Affects Your Lungs

Individuals known as “susceptible smokers” experience significant lung damage at an early age, with a noticeable decline in lung function beginning as early as 35 to 45 years old. Symptoms such as chronic cough or shortness of breath during heavy work or exercise may be early signs of COPD, often overlooked due to their mild nature.

Factors Contributing to Faster Decline:

• Pollution and Environmental Factors: Exposure to polluted air and other environmental toxins.
• Genetic Conditions: Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a genetic form of COPD.
• Frequent Infections: Regular flare-ups or exacerbations can worsen the disease.

Resources for Quitting Smoking

CDC Quitting Tips: CDC Quit Smoking Resources (Updated March 1, 2021)

Vaping and E-Cigarettes: For those considering vaping as a smoking cessation tool, review the facts about vaping, including resources like the Journal of the COPD Foundation's article on Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping.

Additional Support:

• Learn More: Quitting Smoking
• Smokefree.gov: Provides information and steps to quit smoking.
• Smoking in America: Offers detailed information on quitting smoking and the impact of cigarette smoking.
• National Quitline: Call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) for free local resources and support.
• COPD360social: Join the COPD Foundation's online community to connect with others and discuss quitting smoking.

Support and Community

The COPD Foundation provides various resources to support those quitting smoking and managing COPD:

• COPD360social: An online community where you can connect with other patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers for support and information.

For more information, support, and resources, visit the COPD Foundation's website and engage with the community.

For personal use only. Permission required for all other uses.