According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer caused by smoking is the
leading cause of death in women each year, surpassing breast and ovarian cancers.
Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy accounts for 10 percent of all infant deaths,
and mothers who smoke double the chance of their child developing asthma. Smoking
also causes wrinkles and makes many women appear prematurely old. Yet one out of
every five women smokes.
Women.Smokefree.gov is designed to help
women successfully quit smoking and maintain a smoke-free lifestyle. The site provides
information on issues that are especially important to women and how these issues
are affected by quitting smoking.
The website features a Quit Guide that offers encouragement to women at each step
of the quitting process. The guide explains the health and social benefits of quitting
and provides information on ways to manage nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
The Quit Guide also recommends different ways to remain smoke-free once the initial
cravings are gone.
Women.Smokefree.gov also has links to
information on topics that concern many women, such as weight management, pregnancy
and relationships. The site explains how these and other issues are affected by
smoking and the challenges and benefits that quitting may present to each topic.
Monthly quizzes help women understand and overcome issues they may be facing.
The site also has links to smoking cessation counselors and organizations to assist
women through the quitting process.
We’d love to hear from you.
If you know a web site that focuses on health, family, food or fun, email it to feedback@islandscene.com and we may review it for Island Scene Online.