Timeline Of The Benefits Of Quitting Smoking
Here are the benefits of quitting smoking:
1. 20 minutes: Blood pressure and heart rate begin to return to normal; blood circulation improves.
2. 8 hours: Carbon monoxide levels return to normal.
3. 24 hours: Risk of heart attack begins to drop.
4. 1 week: Sense of smell and taste begin to improve.
5. 3 months: Lung functioning increases by 30%.
6. 9 months: Lungs regain the ability to clean themselves and fight infection.
7. 1 year: Excess risk of heart attack drops by half.
8. 5 years: Risk of stroke drops to that of a nonsmoker.
9. 10 years: Risk of lung cancer drops to half that of smokers; risk of other cancers also decrease.
10. 15 years: Overall risk of premature death (from cancer, heart attack, or any smoking related cause) is now the same as a nonsmoker.
If you are a smoker, TeenHealthFX strongly encourages you to kick the habit and start working towards a healthier you. Consider contacting some of the following resources for some support and guidance:
If you live in New Jersey, you can contact Quitline at 1-866-NJ-STOPS and Quitnet.
Outside of New Jersey you can contact the following nationwide hotlines:
· American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345
· National Cancer Institute at 1-800-422-6237
Other statewide hotlines include:
· Arizona Smoker's Helpline, 1-800-556-6222
· California Smoker's Helpline, 1-800-NO-BUTTS
· Illinois Tobacco Helpline , 1-800-548-8252
· Iowa Quitline , 1-866-U-CAN-TRY
· Massachusetts Smoker's Quitline, (English) 1-800-879-8678, (Spanish/Portuguese) 1-800-833-5256
· Michigan Quit Smoking Coaching Hotline , Free counseling for Michigan residents 1-800-480-7848, Free printed materials, coupons, quit kits 1-800-537-5666
· Minnesota Helpline, (English) 1-877-270-7867, (Spanish) 1-877-266-3863
· Mississippi Tobacco Quitline, 1-877-4US-2-ACT (1-877-487-2228)
· Montana Tobacco Quit Line, 1-877-612-1585
· Nevada Tobacco Users Helpline, 1-888-866-6642 or 702 877-0684
· New York Quitline, 1-888-609-6292
· Oregon Tobacco Quit Line, English 1-877-270-7867, Spanish 1-877-266-3863
· Texas Quitline, 1-877-937-7848
· Utah Quitline, 1-888-567-8788
· Vermont Smokers Quitline, 1-877-YES-QUIT
· Washington State Quit Line, English 1-877-270-STOP, Spanish 1-877-2NO-FUME
· West Virgina (only for those in WV with Medicaid or Public Employess Insurance Agency insurance), 1-877-966-8784
· Wisconsin Tobacco Quitline, English 1-877-270-STOP, Spanish 1-877-2NO-FUME