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The "Great American Smokeout" was November 15th. Many smokers used that opportunity to quit, however many wait until the new year to quit. If you are a smoker, why not plan to quit? There are many benefits to giving up tobacco; some of these begin happening immediately.
Health Benefits:
20 minutes after quitting: your heart rate and blood pressure drop
12 hours after quitting: the carbon monoxide level in your body drops to normal
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: your circulation improves and lung function increases
1 to 9 months after quitting: coughing and shortness of breath decrease, the cilia (they help move mucous out of your lungs) regain normal function which allows them to clean your lungs and reduce the risk of infection
1 year after quitting: your added risk for coronary heart disease is now ½ that of someone continuing to smoke
5 years after quitting: your stroke risk is decreased to that of a non-smoker
10 years after quitting: your lung cancer death rate is ½ that of someone continuing to smoke. Your risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas cancers decreases.
15 years after quitting: your risk of coronary heart disease is equal to that of a non-smoker
In other words, it is never too late to benefit from quitting. There are many methods and resources available to help you quit.
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Different methods work better for different people. If your first attempt doesn't work, try again! Not everyone is successful on their first try. There are many support groups focused on smoking cessation that are free of charge, as well as telephone counseling (1-800-QUIT-NOW). Some of the more prevalent methods used to quit are the nicotine patch, gum, and lozenge; all of which are available over the counter without a prescription. Additionally there is a nicotine nasal spray and inhaler that are available with a prescription from your doctor. In addition to the traditional nicotine replacements discussed above, there are now two non-nicotine drugs that help with smoking cessation. One is bupropion, which is an anti-depressant that helps reduce cravings for cigarettes. The other is a newer medication called Chantix (varenicline). This medication also helps reduce your cravings for cigarettes. You must be ready and want to quit smoking for any of these methods to work. There are special precautions and different directions for each method. You should talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse and they can help you determine a method that is safe for you and that will help you succeed. Remember to let them know any medications you are currently taking and any health conditions you have.
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