Smoking Risk

• Aging decreases the sense of smell and taste, and smoking diminishes these senses even further.
• Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, lung disease, artery disease, and ulcers.
• Smoking increases risk of cancer (lung, mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, pancreas and bladder.)
• Older smokers respond as well as younger smokers to smoking cessation.
• Long-term smokers can benefit from stopping smoking (decreased risk of heart disease, increased life expectancy, improved respiratory function and circulation.)

• Be willing to discuss smoking cessation programs.
• Provide education about the benefits of a smoking cessation program.
• Refer to smoking cessation self-help or support groups.

• Call the American Lung Association for a smoke cessation packet:
  1-800-586-4872
• Call the American Cancer Society for education and cessation support: 1-800-227-2345

 WEB LINKS 

• American Lung Association: www.lungusa.org
• American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org