I don't scold my patients as much as other doctors about smoking; I smoked two packs a day of non-filtered cigarettes for about five years and it's hard to quit. Thirty percent of adults in this country smoke and about 70% of them have tried to quit at one time or another. I realize Dallas is a high stress city and I don't want to rub salt in any wounds. I tried to quit a couple times before I finally made it and it was frustrating.

My father smoked the same brand I did, but for fifty years. He died of lung cancer this last year. I miss him. My children are ages 2 and 4 and they won't get to know him.

I'm writing this because some date is coming that is special to you, quit on that date, and after that it can be a clean slate with which to start life over again. I don't care how many times you tried to quit before, this is a good time to try again.

Most people want to live longer. The tar in the smoke causes cancer. The "low tar" cigarettes burn up the tar, but create more carbon monoxide, which causes worse vascular disease at an earlier age. 35% of deaths in this country are from vascular disease.

Don't cut down .... stop! You can do it!! I can promise you that you will get to the point that you don't want one. There are medications I can give you that are proven to lessen the desire for tobacco and can aid greatly in quitting. If I can help let me know, but this is something that must come from within you: a mastery over your own body.

GO TO "CIGARETTE CESSATION" IN THIS SECTION OF MY SITE

FOR ALL THE GOOD THINGYOU CAN EXPECT AFTER YOU QUIT