Ring in the New Year with healthy habits. Stopping smoking should be a number one priority. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States. The average loss of lifespan for smokers is around 14 years.

Smoking has been linked to many cancers including lung, gastrointestinal, liver and other cancers. Tobacco users also have an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes. Smoking has been linked to type 2 diabetes and can worsen kidney disease and can trigger autoimmune disease. Also, smoking by pregnant mothers is deleterious to their unborn babies.

Second hand smoke can affect your family, including babies, children and other adults. Babies who live with a smoker are two to four times more likely to die from sudden death. Children exposed to smoke have an increased chance for developing bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia. Adults exposed to second hand smoke can have similar health risks as a smoker.

Also smoking can affect the aging process causing premature aging, poor wound healing and an increase in skin cancer, called squamous cell carcinoma. Active smoking can also prevent you from having certain cosmetic surgeries.

Start with New Year with new healthy habits: Stop Smoking for you and your family