How to avoid alcohol and tobacco usage

Reducing Tobacco and Alcohol Use

  Smoking and drinking often go hand in hand during social activities and, for some people, in their daily lives to relieve stress or boredom. The combination of harmful substances in alcohol and tobacco can increase your risk of cancer. Reducing tobacco and alcohol use is critical for your overall health and can decrease your risk of cancer.

Prevalence of cancer 

• People who drink and smoke regularly are five times more likely to develop mouth or throat cancer.
• According to the American Cancer Society, alcohol use is related to about 6% of all cancers.
• Tobacco use causes about 20% of all cancers.
• Smoking causes about 80% of lung cancers and is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.

How tobacco use affects health

We know smoking is bad for our health. Since the late 1940s, it has been linked to lung cancer and other diseases. In the last several decades, smoking has been banned in public places because of the risks of second-hand smoke. But it is still the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S.

How to quit smoking and drinking

The best way to take care of your health is to never smoke and to quit if you do. The dangers of smoking have been known for decades, but it is still a real problem among Americans. Nicotine is highly addictive, making cessation difficult. Your health will improve within 20 minutes of putting out that last cigarette and continue to improve for years.

Men who consume more than four drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks a week, or woman who has more than three drinks on any given day or more than seven drinks per week, are considered heavy drinkers.