IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT QUITTING
This year, 1.2 million Americans successfully quit
smoking
permanently.
One year after quitting smoking, the
excess risk of heart attack caused by smoking is reduced by half.
After 10 years of non-smoking, the risk
of lung cancer for former smokers drops to less than one half that of a
continuing smoker.
In 5 to 15 years after quitting smoking,
the risk of stroke for former smokers returns to the level of those who never
smoked.
If you're thinking about quitting, this link will take you
to the American
Lung Association FREE online smoking cessation program
http://www.lungusa.org/ffs/index.html
(External Site)
For an online support group go to:
http://www.quitnet.com/ (External Site)
An excellent guide on how to quit from the U.S. Department of Health
and Human services can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit/smconsumr.pdf
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU QUIT SMOKING
from the American
Cancer Society
Within 20 minutes...
Blood pressure drops
Pulse rate drops to normal
Within 8 hours...
Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
Oxygen level in blood increases to normal
Within 24 hours...
Chance of a heart attack decreases
Within 2 weeks to 3 months...
Circulation improves
Lung function increases up to 30%
Within 1 month to 9 months...
Cilia regroup in lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus and reduce
infection
Body's overall energy increases
Within 1 year...
Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker
Within 5 years...
Lung cancer death rate for average former smoker decreases by almost one-
half. Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker
Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is half of a smoker's
Citations:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Click here to link to
a great website: TobaccoFreeU.org (External site)
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