Tobacco causes eight million deaths every year. When evidence was released that smokers were more likely to develop severe disease with COVID-19 compared to non-smokers, it triggered millions of smokers to want to quit tobacco. Quitting can be challenging, but there are a lot of reasons to quit.
After just 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your heart rate drops.
Within 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
Within 2-12 weeks, your circulation improves and lung function increases.
Within 1-9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
Within 5-15 years, your stroke risk is reduced to that of anon-smoker.
Within 10 years, your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker.
Within 15 years, your risk of heart disease is that of a non-smoker.
Join World No Tobacco Day and #CommitToQuit! Each quit attempt brings you closer to success and resources like the Maine QuitLink can help. Visit https://mainequitlink.com or call 1-800-Quit-Now.
BONUS: A comprehensive Tobacco-Free policy is a proven strategy to promote a tobacco-free lifestyle. Contact Jessicajcarter@rfgh.net for help making the policy where you work, learn, live, or play stronger.