Why Quit?

Quitting smoking is the best thing smokers can do to improve their life and health. Former smokers live longer than those who continue to smoke.

The health benefits of quitting occur for all types of smokers, men and women, young and old.

Many people who smoke, know all about the dangers of smoking. They probably already know that quitting smoking is the most important thing they can do to improve their health. The only problem is how to quit and stay quit.

When you stop smoking cigarettes…

• Within 8 hours, the level of carbon monoxide in your body decreases and oxygen increases to normal levels.
• After just two days, the risk of heart attack begins to decrease.
• Within just 48 hours, your sense of smell and taste improve and return to normal.
• After three days, your lung capacity will have increased, making breathing easier.
• After the first year, the risk of heart attack is cut in half.
• Within 10 years, the risk of dying from lung cancer is cut in half.
• Within 15 years, the risk of dying from a heart attack is equal to a person who never smoked.

If you smoke, you probably have tried to quit in the past. On an average, people who smoke will attempt to quit seven times before they quit for life because it takes time to figure out the right approach for you. Quitting smoking is a very individual process. How you quit smoking may be very different from how your spouse or friend quits.

You should also know that there is no one way to quit smoking. There are actually a lot of tools and support to help you live tobacco free. It’s important to learn as much as possible about what your options are, so you can build a plan that’s right for you.

Health Canada has developed a resource entitled “On the Road to Quitting,” which can be ordered from their website.