The Great American Smokeout is on Thursday, November 16th. Smokers who plan in advance to quit are more likely to succeed!
Pick up information about quitting (including info on the new smoking cessation medication "chantix" and Nicotine Replacement Therapy options) at the GASO table at the Benefits Fair - November 15th.
It's your health - you can do it!
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, esophogus, bladder, kidney, cervix, and pancreas decreases
15 YEARS
•Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker
Call Priscilla Quirk, 274-3136, for more information.
