Why Should I Stop Smoking or Vaping When I have a Wound?

Why Should I Stop Smoking or Vaping When I Have a Wound?

Wounds must have oxygen to heal. We get oxygen when we breathe air in. If we have heart or lung disease, the oxygen we breathe in cannot get to the wound.

Smoking tobacco or marijuana in any form can prevent your wound from getting the oxygen it needs. This is especially true if your wound is on your leg or foot or you have diabetes or heart disease.

It is estimated that one cigarette decreases the amount of oxygen in your blood for 1 hour. If you smoke a cigarette every waking hour, then all day you have reduced oxygen just from smoking.

If you can’t quit, then consider trying to reduce the number of tobacco products you use in a day or maybe limit the time of day you smoke to after supper. Any tricks you can use to lower the amount you smoke will make a difference.
E-cigarettes and vaping (including marijuana) also have an impact on wound healing because they contain many of the same chemicals that are in cigarettes. Consider trying to reduce your use of e-cigarettes or vaping whenever possible.
Second hand smoke (the smoke from someone else smoking) can contain as many harmful ingredients as smoking and will affect your healing.
If someone in your house smokes, ask them to try to go outside away from open windows.
If they smoke in the garage, use a fan to blow smoke toward the outside.
Second hand smoke is unhealthy for the nurses caring for your wound too. Never smoke when your nurse is in your home.

We know that asking you to stop smoking is a really big deal. If you think you can't or if you want help, check out this resource: http://ontario.ca/page/support-quit-smoking

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If you have questions, concerns, or feedback, please contact the office you normally deal with (closest to the patient’s home address). You can find all the contact information for this office in your Welcome pamphlet.