There’s Change in the Air
Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is currently responsible for the death of one in 10 adults worldwide (about 5 million deaths each year)
1.
Quitting is not easy, but it’s worth the effort. Consider these short- and long-term benefits to kicking the habit:
Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking2
- 20 minutes after quitting
Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
Carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop to normal.
- 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting
Circulation improves and lung function increases
- 1 to 9 months after quitting
Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
Your stroke risk decreases to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting
The lung cancer death rate is about half that of someone who continues to smoke. Quiting lowers the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix and pancreas
The risk of coronary heart disease is lowered to that of a nonsmoker.
1. World Health Organization. “Why is tobacco a public health priority?” Tobacco Health Initiative. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/tobacco/health_priority/en/index.html
2. American Cancer Society. “When Smokers Quit—The Health Benefits Over Time.” Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/docroot/SPC/content/SPC_1_When_Smokers_Quit.asp?sitearea=PED