It's Never Too Late to Stop Smoking
Why quit now?
Many older adults who have smoked for years think stopping now won’t do any good. But that’s not true. Many health problems caused by smoking can be even more serious for seniors. As soon as you stop smoking your body begins to recover. Quitting at any age will improve your health.
Improve your health
By quitting you can:
- Lower your risk for lung and other types of cancer
- Reduce your risk for heart disease, lung disease, and stroke
- Reduce your risk of developing or worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the leading causes of death in the United States
You can also:
- Improve your sense of taste and smell
- Save money
- Avoid exposing loved ones to secondhand smoke
How to quit
The first step is to make a firm decision to quit and pick a definite date to stop. Then make a clear plan for how you will quit and stick to it. You might ask a friend to quit with you or join a support group. Some people use nicotine replacement products to help them quit. No matter how you decide to quit, stick with your plan and know that you are taking a major step towards better health.
Programs to help you quit:
QuitWorks
Free phone counseling, information, and referral programs to help Massachusetts residents quit smoking. You can sign up for this program through your doctor, who will fax your enrollment form to QuitWorks. Your doctor will get reports on your progress. This approach helps you get the support you need while you’re quitting. For more information, talk to your doctor or call Customer Relations.
QuitWorks is part of the Try-To-STOP TOBACCO Resource Center of Massachusetts. For details call 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669).
Additional resources from our Health Library:
- Track Your Smoking
- Smoking Fewer Cigarettes
- Quit-Smoking Programs
- Breathing Smoke or Fumes
- Bupropion (Zyban) for Quitting Smoking
How Our Plans Can Help
Cancer Screenings
Tufts Health Plan Medicare Preferred plans cover colorectal, prostate and breast cancer screenings which can help detect cancer before symptoms occur, when treatment can be more effective.
Wellness Allowance
Tufts Health Plan Medicare Preferred plans offer a $300 reimbursement for fees related to a health club membership, fitness classes (such as aerobics, Pilates, tai chi, or yoga), nutritional counseling sessions and other wellness programs like memory fitness activities and acupuncture.
