Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Don't assume you're safe just because you're inside. The air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.

Your lungs are remarkable organs with multiple roles. Each day, up to 2,300 gallons of air pass through your lungs.

Secondhand smoke threatens everyone who inhales it, especially kids. Secondhand smoke is not only smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar, but also smoke exhaled by smokers.

When you smoke, toxins are carried by your blood to every organ in your body. At the same time, the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke keeps red blood cells from carrying as much oxygen as normal.

“Quitting smoking was just about the toughest thing I’ve ever done,” says S. Epatha Merkerson. “But the struggle was certainly worth it."

Nicotine, one of the main chemicals in tobacco, is the primary reason that smoking is so addictive. Even though most smokers know that smoking is bad for them, they find it difficult to quit because of the nicotine's effect.

No matter what your age, or how long you have smoked, giving up cigarettes is the ticket to a longer life. Find out more about the benefits of quitting by taking this quiz.

There isn't much good that can be said about smoking. Now, on a positive note, do you know how much money you can save if you quit smoking today?