For most people, quitting smoking successfully is one of the hardest but most rewarding decisions you will ever make. As any long-term smoker who has quit or attempted to quit will tell you, the addiction is not just a chemical one. Smoking is a habit that is part of your daily behaviors and routines. Smoking cessation therapy should be aimed at managing all aspects of quitting—physical, emotional, psychological and social.
At BayCare, we know that making the decision to quit smoking is a life-changing one—and a lifesaving one. We offer ongoing educational events throughout the Tampa Bay area to help and support you during your quitting journey.
Be a Quitter – The Benefits of Smoking Cessation
The harmful health risks of smoking are no secret. But did you know that you can start reversing these effects almost immediately when you make the decision to quit smoking? When you quit smoking, your body begins to heal almost immediately. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that:
- A few minutes after you quit smoking, your heart rate drops
- 24 hours to a few days after you quit smoking, nicotine levels in your blood drop to zero and the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal levels.
- Between 1 and 12 months after quitting smoking, coughing and shortness of breath begin to decrease
- Within 1 to 2 years of quitting smoking, your risk of heart attack decreases significantly.
Every day you stay smoke-free, the benefits grow—helping your body heal and reducing long-term risks. By cutting out the 7,000 compounds and chemicals found in cigarettes—hundreds of them are toxic and over 70 can cause cancer—you will be drastically reducing your risk of:
The ACS notes that cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the United States. However, quitting smoking takes time, and many people face challenges along the way. According to the American Lung Association, the first 7 to 10 days are the most difficult and challenges may include gaining weight, fighting urges to smoke and experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
