THINK OF ALL THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF QUITTING SMOKING!

20 Minutes after your last cigarette, positive changes begin to occur in your system which continue for many years. It takes only one cigarette a day to compromise these beneficial changes. According to Canada Health Services:

• in 20 minutes the pulse rate returns to normal rhythm, blood pressure and the temperature in the hands and feet returns to normal

• in 8 hours the carbon monoxide count returns to normal and the blood oxygen level increases to normal

• in 24 hours the risk of heart attack decreases, physical endurance of the body increases

• in 48 hours sense of taste and smell improves significantly. Breath no longer smells of smoke.

• in 2 weeks to 3 months circulation improves. Walking becomes easier. Pulmonary function increases by about 30%

• in 1 to 9 months former smoking no longer poses as a risk to the health of an unborn child. Cough, nasal congestion, fatigue & shortness of breath diminish. The body regains energy.

• in 1 year the risk of coronary disease is 50% less than that of a smoker.

• in 5 years lung cancer mortality rate of a former pack-a-day smoker decreases to almost half. From 5 to 15 years after quitting, the risk of stroke decreases and is comparable to that of a non-smoker. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is 50% less than that of a smoker.

• in 10 years cancer mortality rate is similar to that of a non-smoker. Pre-cancerous cells are replaced. Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat & esophagus, bladder and pancreas decreases.

• in 15 years the risk of a heart disease is similar to that of a non-smoker