Quitting smoking can add years to your life. Smoking is the #1 cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. More than 480,000 people die from tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke each year. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can also make chronic diseases worse. If you want to take charge of your health and free yourself from tobacco, ACCHD can give you personalized support and the tools and strategies to help you become smoke- and tobacco-free.
Ways to make quitting easier:
Every smoke-free day is a victory. About 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your blood pressure will start to return to normal levels. One day without cigarettes and your risk of heart attack will be lower. Within three days, your lung capacity will increase and you’ll find yourself breathing easier. Within three weeks, fibers in your lungs that help keep the lungs healthy will be growing back. Within three years after quitting smoking, your risk of a heart attack will have decreased to that of a nonsmoker.