Those are the immortal words of Star Trek staple Leonard Nimoy, who recently passed away at the age of 83 due to complications of COPD. A former smoker, the man who made Dr. Spock a household name actually kicked the habit 30 years ago.
Although Nimoy had a long life by most people’s standards, he succumbed to one of the four deadly habits that actually shave years off your life. The habit that eventually led to his demise ironically tops the list of four bad habits.
According to a recent study by the Archives of Internal Medicine, there are four bad habits that can shorten your lifespan by more than a decade. Here is a roundup of the leading offenders and some common-sense solutions for extending your life.
1. Taking a Drag
According to the National Institutes of Health, there are numerous products that can help you quit smoking quickly, and many of them won’t cost you a dime. These smoking cessation solutions include free nicotine-replacement products such as patches, gum and lozenges. They vary from state-to-state and are easy to find with Internet searches, offered by a variety of companies and non-profit agencies.
You also can take advantage of several free programs offered by The American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking (FFS) program – available both in person and online.