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Living smoke-free

By Mayo Clinic staff

Congratulations on living smoke-free! Beating tobacco takes willpower and determination. You've met the challenge and you're reaping the rewards.

What does living smoke-free mean? Living smoke-free means better health and greater longevity. By the end of your first year, your risk of heart attack decreases by half. By five years it's almost the same as someone who never smoked. Living smoke-free also means better quality of life — improved taste and smell and more stamina.

But living smoke-free doesn't mean living stress-free. In fact, smokers often cite stress as a reason for relapsing. As a smoker you used nicotine to cope with stress. Now you must learn new ways to cope. Be proactive. Learn about stress management online or at the library. For more help, talk with your doctor or a mental health provider.

MY00433

March 19, 2009

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