Reasons to Quit Smoking

Smoking Deadly Facts

• 4.9 million people die each year from tobacco products.
• 1 out of every 5 deaths in the US can be attributed to tobacco products.
• Secondhand cigarette smoke kills about 53,000 Americans each year.
• Tobacco kills more Americans than AIDS, drugs, homicides, fires and auto accidents combined.
• Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer.
• Smoking is directly responsible for approximately 90 percent of lung cancer deaths.
• Smoking lessens one’s normal life expectancy by an average of 13–15 years – thereby eliminating retirement years for most smokers.
• Cigarette smokers are more than twice as likely as nonsmokers to develop dementia of any kind and Alzheimer’s disease

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Secondhand smoke and your family
Remember you aren’t the only one affected by your habit

COST of SMOKING (Smoking Calculator)

Once You Quit Smoking

Within 20 minutes: Body temperature of the feet and hands returns to normal;Â Pulse rate drops to normal; Blood pressure drops to normal

After 8 hours: Pulse rate will slow and skin temperature will increase; Oxygen levels in blood return to normal level; Carbon monoxide levels in blood drop to normal

After 24 hours: Due to improved cardiac function and circulation to your hands and feet, your chance of heart attack decreases; Fine motor coordination will improve

After 48 hours: Nerve endings start regenerating; Ability to smell and taste improves

After 72 hours: Bronchial tubes relax, making breathing easier; Lung capacity increases

After 2 weeks to 3 months: Circulation improves; Walking becomes easier; Lung function increases up to 30%

After 1 year: Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker