The Benefits of Being Tobacco Free Begin Right Away
As soon as you quit smoking, your health improves, so it’s never too late to stop. Here is what happens during the first year after you put out your last cigarette:
- Within 20 minutes: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
- 12 hours: Your blood’s carbon monoxide level returns to normal.
- 2 weeks to 3 months: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
- 1 to 9 months: Your lungs improve and coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
- 1 year: Your risk of heart attack drops significantly, and your risk for coronary heart disease drops to half that of someone who still smokes.
Overall, your heart, lungs and blood vessels begin to work better. You’ll significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer, diabetes and many other smoking-related diseases. And, you will probably live longer.
What Are You Waiting For? Quit Smoking Now.
The Bledsoe Health Trust provides the Quit For Life program free to all active participants, spouses and dependents (age 18 and older). The program offers many kinds of support to help you quit tobacco:
- A Quit Coach, who will help you create an easy-to-follow quit plan that meets your needs.
- An easy-to-use printed Quit Guide you can refer to in any situation to help you stick to your plan.
- Advice on which type, dose, and duration of nicotine substitute or medication is right for you, and how to use it so it really works. (Your Health Plan also covers medications for tobacco cessation, such as Bupropion, Zyban and Chantix, if medically appropriate.)
- Access to Web Coach, a private, online community where you can watch videos, track your progress, and join discussions with other program participants.
So kick the habit for good with help from the Quit For Life Program. Please call 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE (866-784-8454 – toll-free) to enroll or learn more.
Choose Healthy 