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Wellness @ Case

Smoking Cessation

Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemical compounds and at least 400 toxic substances. The most damaging byproducts include tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide. Most people are aware of the many health risks associated with smoking:

  • Lung Cancer
    (90% of lung cancer cases are due to smoking!).
  • Other Cancers
    (throat, mouth, bladder, esophageal, kidney, pancreas, and cervical cancers)
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
    (heart attack, stroke, thrombosis, high blood pressure and more)
  • Emphysema and other Chronic Lung Diseases
    (bronchitis, breathlessness, etc)
  • Other health issues include fertility problems, impotence, macular degeneration, cataracts, periodontal disease, ulcers, negative effects on skin, reduction in life expectancy, quality of life, and more.

If health risks are not enough to help you quit smoking, we encourage you to consider the effect smoking has on financial health. Aside from the obvious costs of purchasing cigarettes ($4.35-$9 per pack, or often over $3,000 per year), there are many incidental costs associated with smoking. These secondary costs can range anywhere between $5,000 per year to $15,000+ per year. Investing that money at just 4% return would result in over $200K in retirement!

In compliance with the State of Ohio smoking ban, Case Western Reserve University does not permit smoking in any of its building or structures, including University vehicles. In addition, all outside walkways and grounds of University property are smoke-free. There are University-designated smoking areas. We encourage all University smokers to seek assistance in quitting as soon as possible. Your health (physical and financial) may depend on it!

For more information and free resources: