Great American Smokeout

11/04/05

Contributed by Priscilla Quirk

The Great American Smokeout is on November 17th. Smokers who plan in advance to quit are more likely to succeed! Pick up information and get your lung capacity checked at the HR Benefits and Wellness Fair, November 9th in Emerson Suites.

What happens after you quit smoking?
Within 20 minutes of smoking your last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continues for years.


20 MINUTES
* Blood pressure drops to normal
* Pulse rate drops to normal
* Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal

8 HOURS
* Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
* Oxygen level in blood increases to normal

24 HOURS
* Chance of heart attack decreases

48 HOURS
* Nerve endings start regrowing
* Ability to smell and taste is enhanced

2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS
* Circulation improves
* Walking becomes easier
* Lung function increases up to 30 percent

1 TO 9 MONTHS
* Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decreases
* Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection
* Body's overall energy increases

1 YEAR
* Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker

5 YEARS
* Lung-cancer death rate for average former smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half
* Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker five to 15 years after quitting
* Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is half that of a smoker's

10 YEARS
* Lung-cancer death rate is similar to that of a non-smoker
* Precancerous cells are replaced
* Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, cervix, and pancreas decreases

15 YEARS
* Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker

The Health Promotion Program and Exercise Professionals Majors Club support your efforts to quit for a day!

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