No matter how long someone has been using tobacco, she will experience the benefits right away of quitting. After only 20 minutes without smoking, a smoker’s heart rate drops to a normal level, and the body begins to repair the damage caused by smoking.
The Great American Smoke Out, Nov. 16, is a day when the American Lung Association encourages smokers to make a plan to quit, even if for just one day.
Quitting even for one day is a step toward a healthier, smoke-free life. Whether done as a New Year’s resolution or a personal goal, the health benefits to quitting smoking quitting smoking pays huge dividends in improved health. Consider these other immediate health benefits:
20 minutes after quitting
- Heart rate drops to a normal level.
12 hours after quitting
- The carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal.
Two weeks to three months after quitting:
- Risk of having a heart attack begins to drop.
- Lung function begins to improve.
One to nine months after quitting:
- Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
One year after quitting:
- Added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
Five to 15 years after quitting:
- Risk of a stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s.
- Risk of getting cancer of the mouth, throat, or esophagus is half that of a smoker’s.
10 years after quitting:
- Risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a smoker’s.
- Risk of getting bladder cancer is half that of a smoker’s.
- Risk of getting cervical cancer or cancer of the larynx, kidney or pancreas decreases.
15 years after quitting:
- Risk of coronary heart disease is the same as that of a nonsmoker.
Quitting can be an overwhelming process, but smokers do not have to do it alone. Quitline Iowa is a FREE tobacco cessation resource available to Iowans 13 years and older.
The Quitline provides phone coaching and web coaching to help participants form a quit plan to stay on track.
Quitline Iowa coaches can help quitters pick the best quit aid, including possible eligibility to receive free nicotine replacement therapies. Visit the Quitline Iowa website or call 1.800.QUIT.NOW for more information.
For more information, contact the American Lung Association website or call 515-309-9507.
