Join in the Great American Smokeout
To the editor:
In 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
In 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
In two to 12 weeks, your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
Between one and nine months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce the risk of infection.
After one year, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker’s.
In five years, the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder are cut in half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker. Stroke risk can fall to that of a nonsmoker after two to five years.
In 10 years, the risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking. The risk of cancer of the larynx (voice box) and pancreas decreases.
In 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.
Those are just some of the advantages of quitting tobacco. Imagine the money that stays in your pocket, like $180 a month, $2,190 a year or $21,900 in 10 years for a pack-a-day smoker.
Congratulations to everyone who has broken the nicotine addiction and become a nonsmoker. You know your quality of life is better when tobacco does not control you. For others, you might be just one quit attempt away from success.
The Great American Smokeout is today. Try quitting for just one day. Get support from family, friends and coworkers, and call the free Indiana Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
Nancy Voris
tobacco program coordinator
Tobacco-Free Johnson County,
Partnership for a Healthier Johnson County
Franklin
