Why Quit Smoking?

Smoking Risks

• Smoking is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths in the United States
• Smoking increases your risk of many types of cancers
• Smoking increases your risk of heart disease
• Smoking increases your risk of lung disease
• Smoking causes problems in pregnancy
• Smoking leads to premature skin wrinkling, stained teeth and gum disease
   

Benefits of Quitting

• You will live healthier
• Your chances of having a heart attack, stroke or cancer will be lowered
• If pregnant, your chances of having a healthy baby will be improved
• The people you live with, especially your children, will be healthier
• You will save money
   

Effects of Quitting After:

• 20 minutes
  Blood pressure drops to a lower level
• 24 hours
  Your chance of a heart attack decreases
• Two weeks to three months
  Circulation improves; lung function improves up to 30 percent
• One to nine months
  Coughing, sinus congestion, shortness of breath and fatigue decrease
• One year
  Your chance of having a heart attack is cut in half
• Five years
  Your chance of having a stroke is reduced to a nonsmoker’s risk
• 10 years
  Your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a continuing smoker’s risk
• 15 years
  Your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a person who never smoked
   

* Courtesy of the American Cancer Society