Tobacco Cessation
It’s never too late to quit. Anyone at any age can benefit from quitting tobacco use.
- After 20 minutes of quitting smoking: blood pressure returns to normal levels
- After 12 hours: oxygen levels return to normal; carbon monoxide drops significantly
- After 48 hours: Sense of taste and smell begin to return to normal
- After 72 hours: breathing is easier and lung function increases
- After 2 weeks: blood circulation in the teeth and gums are now similar to that of a non-smokers
- After 1-9 months: chronic cough decreases; breathing improves, overall energy levels increase
- After 1 year: risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack becomes less than half that of a smoker
- After 5 years: lowered risk of developing diabetes
- After 10 years: lowered risk of some cancers, including lung cancer, cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and pancreas
- After 15 years: risk of heart disease is equal to someone who has never smoked
“Quitting isn’t about what you give up. It’s about what you get back.”
- Rebecca, age 57, Florida
CDC Tips from Former Smokers Campaign
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/index.html
For free help with quitting, please find the following resources:
The Ohio Department of Health Cessation Home Page:
From here you can learn about the state quit program. It’s FREE to join! You may also qualify for free nicotine patches. You will need to call and talk to a quit coach a number of times in order to receive nicotine patches. The number to call is 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669). There is also an online option to talk to a quit coach through this program at ohio.quitlogix.org.
Ohio Department of Health Cessation Home Page
The National Smoke Free resource website:
This is a free resource through the United States Department of Health and Human Services. You can sign up for the text program, download their app, chat online with a quit coach, and utilize other helpful tips and strategies.
Become an EX:
Another great resource with tobacco cessation programming.