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Effects of Quitting Smoking After:
20 minutes
blood pressure drops to a level close to what you had before your
first cigarette temperature of your hands and feet increases to
normal
8 hours
carbon monoxide level in blood returns to normal
24 hours
your chance of heart attack decreases
2 weeks to 3 months
circulation improves, lung function increases up to 30%
1 to 9 months
coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decrease
cilia in lung regain normal function, improving ability to clear
mucous and reduce infection
1 year
your chance of heart attack is cut in half
5 years
risk of stroke is reduced to that of a non smoker's
10 years
risk of lung cancer is half that of a smoker's risk of cancer of
mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decrease
15 years
risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non smoker's
Possible Ways to Quit Smoking
1. Nicotine Replacement Therapy
A gum, patch, nasal spray, or inhaler. Works by providing a substitute
source of nicotine, without other harmful components of cigarette.
Helps smoker to cut back on cigarettes gradually.
2. Zyban
A pill available by prescription from your doctor. A non-nicotine
drug that reduces symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Also called Wellbutrin.
3. Cold Turkey
Stop smoking all at once! It
is easier to do this if you smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes per day.
Most ex-smokers who have done this have at least thought about it!
4. Gradual Withdrawal
This technique can help reduce the nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Ideas: Set a firm quit date-less than 4 weeks from start of cutting
down Smoke fewer cigarettes each day-get down to half the usual
number, then quit by tapering down-decrease by one or two per day
5. Stop-Smoking Support Groups
Call any of the following organizations for information: American
Cancer Society - 1-800-ACS-2345
National Cancer Institute - 1-800-4-cancer
American Heart Association - 1-800-AHA-USA1
American Lung Association - 1-800-LUNG-USA
Illinois Tobacco Quitline 1-866-QUIT-YES 1-866-784-8937
6. INTERNET chat lines
7. Other Methods
- Acupuncture
- Hypnosis
- Vitamin Therapy
- Herbal & Homeopathic remedies
Tips To help You............
- Think of how tobacco companies have manipulated you (and millions
of others!)
- Don't despair if you slip! It usually takes more than one attempt
to stop smoking. You learn something new each time, and it may
make it easier next time!
Don't Give Up!!!!!!
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