News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Smoking affects your respiratory system, which can increase COVID 19 risks.
Quit For Life Facilitator Randy Todd said smoking additionally affects your entire body.
“Unfortunately we’ve only got one immune system per body. When you compromise your immune system by putting 7,000 chemical and chemical compounds, which is what cigarette and cigarette smoke contains, your immune system is overloaded. With something like the COVID 19 virus, it attacks your respiratory system,” Todd said.
Todd said those who smoke are at a greater risk of contracting viruses and bacteria due to smoking, not just COVID 19. He added quitting is always important but now it’s especially so.
Due to pandemic concerns, all gatherings of Quit For Life have been cancelled until further notice at CRMC. Todd said there are still other ways to quit, such nicotine patches and researching the American Lung Association website.
“It’s a many faceted addiction, just like any other serious drug like heroine, cocaine, or meth. They’re all linked together and so it’s very hard to stop, but if you attack it psychologically and physically you can be successful. Just take it one urge at a time and one day at a time,” Todd said.
The Quit For Life classes have been in session for over 27 years. Todd said across the country over 50 million people have quit smoking.
