Unlike some diseases, COPD typically has a clear cause and path for prevention, and there are proven ways to slow its progression. In COPD patients, quitting smoking has been found to lead to better results and reduced risk of death, hospitalization and emergency department visits.
The majority of cases are directly related to cigarette smoking, and the best way to prevent COPD is to never smoke — or to stop smoking now. Don’t mistake shortness of breath for normal aging or “smoker’s cough.”
If you’re a longtime smoker, these simple statements may not seem so simple, especially if you have tried quitting — once, twice, or many times before. But keep trying to quit, and don’t be discouraged even if it takes several attempts. This is normal. It’s critical to find a tobacco cessation program, reach out to a counselor, or ask your doctor about appropriate medications that can help you quit for good. It's your best chance for reducing damage to your lungs.
Please also browse through the external resources listed below for peer-reviewed tips on how to begin or continue your smoking cessation journey.
Further Reading:
Sources:
External Resources for Patients:
The CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign to promote smoking cessation.
Smokefree, the National Cancer Institute’s mobile health program created to help and support smokers of all kinds — whether it’s someone who wants to quit, just recently quit, or has already quit and wants to stay quit.
Harvard Professor of Medicine Dr. Rigotti’s patient education on how to quit smoking beyond the basics.
Healthline’s guide to Quitting Smoking as a COPD Treatment.
External Resources for Healthcare Providers:
An article from the Independent Nurse — a professional resource for primary care and community nurses — on encouraging patients with COPD to stop smoking.
Rx for Change, a comprehensive tobacco cessation training program for practicing clinicians of all disciplines, established by the University of California San Francisco.
An article by Dr. van Eerd of Maastricht University of the Netherlands on why physicians lack engagement with smoking cessation treatment in their COPD patients.