Choi Kang-hee's Journey to Quitting Smoking

Actress Choi Kang-hee recently opened up about her past smoking habits and her journey to quit. She confessed to being a heavy smoker in the past but revealed that she has now been smoke-free for six months. Choi Kang-hee shared her quitting process during an appearance on the YouTube channel 'Lee Sung-mi's Can't Go', along with the reason she cleaned her friend's house.

The Temptation of Smoking and the Decision to Quit

She admitted, "I smoked whenever I had the chance, and I reached for cigarettes more when I felt anxious or awkward." Specifically, she mentioned starting to smoke after turning twenty to fit in with people on set. However, she surprisingly shared that she's managed to continue quitting, even though she initially thought she wouldn't be able to. Choi Kang-hee started by telling herself, "Let's smoke a little later," and before she knew it, six months had passed, and she no longer craves cigarettes at all.

The Dangers of Smoking and Its Impact on Health

We all know that smoking is harmful, right? Smoking can cause various cancers, including lung, oral, and throat cancers, and it's also a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. The nicotine in cigarettes reduces oxygen levels in the blood and increases heart rate and blood pressure. This, in turn, raises the risk of heart attack and arteriosclerosis.

• Weakened immunity makes you more susceptible to infections.
• Poor sleep quality burdens daily life.
• The risk of insomnia is 2.5 times higher than for non-smokers.

The Necessity of Quitting Smoking and Positive Changes

Therefore, quitting smoking is not an option, but a necessity. Studies show that quitting smoking before the age of 50 can halve your risk of death in the following 15 years. In the initial stages of quitting, bad breath, stained teeth, and body odor improve, and heart rate and blood pressure decrease. After 12 hours, blood carbon monoxide levels return to normal, and after two weeks of quitting, blood circulation becomes smoother, and lung function improves.

Tips for Quitting Smoking

To successfully quit smoking, it's important to keep yourself busy to avoid thinking about cigarettes or to make an effort to distance yourself from temptation. If you do end up smoking during the quitting process, it's crucial not to give up. Additionally, visiting a local clinic or public health center to register for a smoking cessation clinic program is a great option.

Finally, even non-smokers need to make efforts to avoid secondhand smoke and protect their lung health. Middle-aged women, in particular, who frequently cook, need to be extra cautious. Remember that more than half of female lung cancer patients are non-smokers. When cooking foods that produce a lot of smoke, use a range hood, and when vacuuming, ensure adequate ventilation to reduce indoor fine dust levels.