Quitting smoking could be the best gift for your Valentine, say SC health experts

(WCIV) — This Valentines Day, the South Carolina Department of Public Health is encouraging South Carolinians to show love for their heart and lungs by making to choice to quit smoking and vaping.

According to the department, using tobacco products that contain nicotine such as cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes or vapes puts extra stress on a persons heart and lungs.

The Nicotine inside those tobacco products increases heart rate and raises a person blood pressure which puts that person at an increased risk of having a heart attack. Additionally, smoking and vaping can weaken and damage a person’s lungs which makes them more susceptible to become sick from respiratory viruses and bacteria.

“Quitting smoking and/or vaping is the single best thing you can do to prevent heart and lung disease,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, DPH director in a prepared statement. “Finding quit support options that give you motivation and meaningful support can make the difference between staying addicted to nicotine and living a healthy, tobacco-free life. It also reduces potential exposure to our loved ones and allows us to spend more quality time with those we care about.”

If improving your physical health isn’t enough to inspire someone to quit, the Department of Public Health also states that quitting tobacco improves mental health, strengthens the immune system and protects against chronic diseases, especially heart disease, type 2 diabetes and multiple types of cancer.

Research that the department sourced also shows that people who quit tobacco report reduced feelings of depression, anxiety and stress, especially among youth and young adults who stop vaping.

“Especially on Valentine’s Day, quitting tobacco use can also be a great gift for your Valentine,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DPH Chief Medical Officer. “Quitting tobacco use today, means more years to come with your loved ones. Just two weeks after quitting, the function of your heart, lungs, and circulation improve. Within 1-2 years of quitting, your risk of a heart attack significantly decreases.”

To learn more about resources and how to quit, interested individuals can visit the South Carolina Tobacco Quitline website.