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Tobacco Fact
Lung cancer, throat cancer, heart disease, stroke and emphysema are just some of the painful, life-threatening diseases linked with smoking. Smoking is also associated with cancers of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, pancreas, cervix, kidney, and bladder.



AFTER QUITTING…

YOUR BODY BEGINS TO REPAIR ITSELF AS SOON AS YOU STOP SMOKING

20 minutes after quitting…
blood pressure and pulse rates drop to normal, and temperature to hands and feet return to normal.

8 hours after quitting…
carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal and oxygen level increases.

24 hours after quitting…
the chance of heart attack decreases.

2 weeks-3 months after quitting…
circulation improves and lung function increases up to 30%.

1-9 months after quitting…
coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease; cilia regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection.

1 year after quitting…
The chance of having a heart attack is cut in half.

5 years after quitting…
stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.

10 years after quitting…
lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s. Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney. And pancreas decreases.

15 years after quitting…
coronary heart disease risk is that of a nonsmoker.

© 1999 American Cancer Society

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SmokeFree Dutchess is a community partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS); the American Heart Association (AHA); the American Lung Association (ALA); the Dutchess County Department of Health; the Dutchess County Medical Society; Council on Addiction Prevention & Education of Dutchess County, Inc (CAPE); Vassar Brothers Medical Center; Saint Francis Hospital and Health Centers; community based organizations, physicians, businesses, schools, and Dutchess County residents.