Tobacco Use & Chronic Disease

Want to quit using tobacco and improve your chronic condition?

WORK WITH A CARE MANAGER

Want to quit using tobacco and improve your chronic condition? Work with a Care Manager.

Tobacco, in all forms, causes many health issues. These include:

  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • Breathing problems
  • Dental problems
  • Eye and ear problems
  • Bone problems
  • Reproductive problems

If you have a chronic condition like asthma, diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tobacco use can worsen it. Here’s how:

Asthma

When you have asthma and smoke tobacco, you are more likely to have an asthma attack. When you stop smoking tobacco, you will be able to better control your asthma. You may also need less medicine.

COPD

Smoking tobacco when you have COPD makes it much harder for you to breathe. The smoke is hurting your lungs. Smoking can also cause bad lung infections.

Diabetes

Using tobacco when you have diabetes puts you at higher risk for a stroke. Your blood sugar medications or shots may not work as well. If you don’t have diabetes, smoking can cause it. People who smoke are up to 40 percent more likely to get type 2 diabetes than those who don’t smoke.

Cancer

Tobacco use can cause cancer. You will always be at a higher risk for cancer.

Heart Disease

Tobacco users with heart disease have  twice the risk of having a heart attack than those who don’t use tobacco. It increases your blood pressure and heart rate, which hurts your blood vessels. The damage starts to heal when you stop using.

Tooth Decay and Periodontal Disease

Smokeless tobacco often has lots of sugar. As you keep it between your cheeks and gums for a long time, it can cause severe tooth decay and gum issues. Over time, this could cause your teeth to fall out.

Through the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line, you will have a free and confidential Quit Coach, online tools, and your own quit guide.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-877-270-7867) to get started right away.

The Georgia Tobacco Quit Line can help you take the next steps to quit using these products:

  • Cigarettes
  • Cigars
  • Hookah
  • Chewing Tobacco
  • E-Cigarettes
  • Vaping

Get Rewarded For Quitting!

You may earn up to $10 in rewards for quitting through MyHealth Rewards.

Want to track and get your rewards points?

REDEEM REWARDS

Do you speak a different language?
Explore Quit Line phone numbers for the languages below:

Helpful Links
Five Ways Quitlines Help
Former Smokers Share Stories