Today is the 37th annual GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Surveys show that 2 in 3 smokers want to quit, so support them in their quitting efforts today! Help is available online at www.smokefree.gov and by phone at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Here are some health benefits to quitting the smoking habit:
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20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
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12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
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Two weeks to three months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
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One to nine months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
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One year after quitting: Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder are cut in half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker.
Help a friend empty those ashtrays!