foodconsumer.org: Benefits of quitting smoking happen in 20 minutes

Benefits of quitting smoking happen in 20 minutes
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admin on 11/15/2009 22:10:00
 
By Sheilah Downey
It's not a secret that quitting smoking is extremely hard, but some of the
health benefits are instant, according to the American Cancer Society.
"Heart rate and blood pressure drop 20 minutes after quitting," says the ACS in
their press release announcing the 34th Great American Smokeout this Thursday,
Nov. 19.
The ACS encourages smokers to use the date to plan to quit, or to plan in
advance and quit smoking that date. Research shows that it is easier to quit
with support, and if the entire country is quit for one day, it may make a
difference.
"We know that quitting smoking is tough and that most smokers have to try
several time before they quit," says Dr. Alan G. Thorson, national volunteer
president for the ACS.
"The American Cancer Society offers a variety of effective resources ranging
from online tips and tools to personalized telephone coaching by trained
specialists," he said. "We hope that smokers will use the Great American
Smokeout to map out a course of action that will help them quit and in turn, to
celebrate more birthdays."
Research has shown that it's never too late to quit. Smokers who quit by the age
of 35 gain an average of 8 years of life expectancy, those who quit by age 55
gain about five years and those who quit at 65 gain three years of life
expectancy, according to the ACS.
In fact, people who quit before age 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15
years in half compared with those who continue to smoke.
The Great American Smokeout contains user-friendly tips and tools for a
smoke-free life and can be found at www.cancer.org/GreatAmericans