It’s Quittin’ Time!

Join the American Cancer Society for the Great American Smokeout Challenge!  Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done!  No matter how old you areor how long you have smoked, quitting can help you live longer and healthier.  People who stop smoking before the age of 50 decrease their chances of death in the next 15 years in half compared to those who continue to smoke.  Ex-smokers enjoy a higher quality of life due to fewer colds and illness, better self-reported health and fewer cases of bronchitis and pneumonia.  

The health benefits of quitting smoking are far greater than any risks than any small weight gain (usually less than 10 pounds) that follow quitting.  Other benefits over time include:
20 minutes after quitting:  Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
12 hours after quitting:  The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting:  Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
1 to 9 months after quitting:  Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
1 year after quitting:  The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
5 years after quitting:  Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
10 years after quitting:  The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s.  The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.
15 years after quitting:  The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker’s.
(Source: American Cancer Society)

If you are ready to quit, but don’t know where to start, visit the American Cancer website for more information.  Quitting smoking is possible, so join the Hilton Head Health Institute in becoming smoke free! 

Add comment November 15th, 2007