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Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Tobacco has been classified as a “Class A” carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Smoke contains at least 250 toxic chemicals, including over 50 that can cause cancer. Only 13 other substances, including asbestos, are considered as dangerous to human health.
Cigarette smoking causes 87% of lung cancer deaths and is responsible for most cancers of the larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, and bladder. The risk of developing smoking-related cancers, as well as non-cancerous diseases, increases with total lifetime exposure to cigarette smoke.
Every day about 339 people die of lung cancer in the U.S. because of tobacco use. Every 10 seconds someone dies of a tobacco-related disease.
The longer you stay smoke free, the healthier you become.
After just 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse slow to normal rates, and blood circulation in your hands and feet improves.
After 8 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal, and the oxygen level in your blood increases.
After 24 hours, your breath, hair, and body stop smelling like cigarette smoke.
After 72 hours, nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, is out of your body.
After 1-3 weeks, nerve endings that have been dulled by smoking are back in action, and your senses of taste and smell improve.
After 1-9 months, your lungs can hold more air; coughing, congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease; your overall body energy increases; and your ability to fight off infections increases.
- Tip #1: Make a quitting plan - pick a quit date, and prepare yourself mentally. List the reasons why you want to quit, and keep that list with you at all times. Reward yourself for a job well done.
- Tip #2: Declare your home and car tobacco-free - you are more likely to be successful in your attempt to quit smoking if you have a tobacco-free rule in place.
- Tip #3: Call the Colorado QuitLine - a free, confidential telephone coaching service. Call 1 800 QUIT-NOW.
- Tip #4: Alter your patterns - keep yourself away from situations where you might feel the need to smoke. Also try to keep away from caffeine and alcohol for the first few weeks.
- Tip #5: Use the patch - nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) will help increase your chances of success. Take advantage of free Colorado QuitLine coaching to receive a free supply of nicotine patches.
- Tip #6: Save money - when you quit, you’ll save about $2,000-$3,000 a year on cigarettes if you’re like most average smokers. Make a list of all the other things you could buy with that money.
- Tip #7: Let your body heal - just 20 minutes after you quit, your blood pressure and pulse slow to normal rates. Just 8 hours after you quit, the oxygen level in your blood increases.
- Tip #8: Rid your body of nicotine - after 72 hours, nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, is already out of your body. You’ll notice a big difference.
- Tip #9: Improve your health - after 1-9 months, your lungs can hold more air; coughing, congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease; and your overall body energy increases.
- Tip #10: Improve your quality of life - food will taste better, your sense of smell will return to normal, and you’ll have more energy to participate in day-to-day activities.
- Tip #11: Live longer - the lives of men who smoke are cut short by an average of 13.2 years, and the lives of women who smoke are cut short by an average of 14.5 years.
- Tip #12: Look and feel younger - when you quit, you halt the damaging effects of tobacco on your appearance, including premature wrinkling of skin, bad breath, stained teeth, and yellow fingernails.
