Tobacco Cessation

Do you need to change?

Quitting tobacco can improve your health significantly. Is now the right time for you to quit?

According to the Surgeon General there are immediate health benefits to quitting and the benefits of remaining tobacco free increase over time. In just 20 minutes after quitting your heart rate drops to normal. In 8 hours your oxygen level in your blood increases to normal. In 2 days nerve endings start to regrow. Within the first 9 month or quitting, shortness of breath and congestion decrease. After 1 year your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker. After 10 years your risk of dying of lung cancer is half that of a smoker’s. And, after 15 years your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a nonsmoker.

There are many more benefits associated with quitting tobacco use that go beyond improving your short and long-term health, including having more money in your pocket. How much do you spend on tobacco each day?_____ Multiply that number by 365. How much money is that?

______Now, multiply that number by 20_____; that’s how much money you will save in 20 years. What could you do with that amount of money?

Of course there are other benefits, like decreasing bad breath, avoiding premature wrinkling, avoiding smelling like tobacco, and improved sense of smell and taste.

Are you ready to quit tobacco? Why is it important for you to quit?______

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