Why Quit Smoking

Short-Term Benefits

• Your sense of taste and smell improve
• Your hair, clothes and breath smell clean
• You breathe more deeply
• You save money

Long-Term Benefits

• Your smoker’s cough is gone for good
• You have fewer colds
• You lower your risk of heart attack, lung disease and many cancers
• You have a longer life expectancy

Ripple Effect

• You sleep better and have more energy
• You find new interests, hobbies, and friends
• Your self esteem improves

 

Immediately	20 Minutes	8 Hours	24 Hours	48 Hours	2 to 12 Weeks	1 to 9 Months	1 Year	10 to 15 Years
The air around you is no longer dangerous to children and other adults	Your blood pressure drops to normal Your pulse rate drops to normal The temperature of your hands and feet increases to normal	Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal Oxygen level in your blood increases to normal	Chance of heart attack decreases	Senses of smell and taste improve	Circulation improves Lung function increases up to 30% Walking becomes easier	Coughing and sinus congestion decrease Shortness of breath decreases Overall energy increases Lungs increase their ability to clean themselves and reduce infection	Risk of premature coronary heart disease falls by 50%	Life expectancy comparable to people who never smoked

 

Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic to the body. Several of these chemicals – at least 60 – are carcinogens, which mean that they have been proven to cause cancer in humans.

The following are some of the chemicals found in tobacco smoke and examples of other substances in which they are commonly found:

Naphthalene – mothball chemical
Nitrobenzene – gasoline additive
Arsenic – poison
Cadmium – component in batteries
Mercury – found in thermometers
Stearic acid – candle wax
Carbon monoxide – car exhaust
Butane – cigarette lighter fuel
Ammonia – household cleaner
Vinyl chloride – component of PVC pipe
Nitrous oxide – disinfectant
DDT – insecticide banned by most western industrialized nations
Acetic acid – vinegar
Acetone – nail polish remover
Formaldehyde – embalming fluid
Hexamine – barbecue lighter
Hydrogen cyanide – gas chamber poison
Methanol – rocket fuel
Nicotine – addictive drug
Toluene – industrial solvent