Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Each year in Iowa, 5,100 Iowans die due to smoking related health issues. The health benefits of quitting smoking can be a motivating reason to start your quitting journey.
As soon as a smoker quits, their body begins to repair the damage caused by smoking. No matter how long a smoker has been using tobacco, they’ll experience the benefits as soon as 20 minutes after quitting.
Here’s what you can expect to happen:
20 minutes after quitting:
• heart rate drops to a normal level.
12 hours after quitting:
• the carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal.
Two weeks to three months after quitting:
• risk of having a heart attack begins to drop.
• lung function begins to improve.
One to nine months after quitting:
• coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
One year after quitting:
• added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
Five to 15 years after quitting:
• risk of a stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s.
• risk of getting cancer of the mouth, throat, or esophagus is half that of a smoker’s.
10 years after quitting:
• risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a smoker’s.
• risk of getting bladder cancer is half that of a smoker’s.
• risk of getting cervical cancer or cancer of the larynx, kidney or pancreas decreases.
15 years after quitting:
• risk of coronary heart disease is the same as that of a nonsmoker.
Quitting can be an overwhelming process. You do not have to do it alone — Quitline Iowa can help. Quitline Iowa is a free tobacco cessation resource available to Iowans 13 years and older. They provide phone coaching and eCoaching to help participants form a Quit Plan to stay on track. Quitline Iowa coaches can help you pick the best quit aid for you. You may be eligible to receive free nicotine replacement therapies.
You can visit www.QuitlineIowa.orgor call 1.800.QUIT.NOW for more information. Take the steps to set yourself up for success as a non-smoker.
For additional information on the resources available to you, contact The American Lung Association in Iowa at 515-309-9507 or the Jasper County Health Departments at 641-787-9224.