Quit smoking for a new lease on life
Grant County’s Health
Department and the
American Cancer Society
want people to kick the habit
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY – Each fall, the Grant
County Health Department promotes the
American Cancer Society’s Great Amer-
ican Smokeout, but health officials add
you don’t have to pick a certain month to
take this step toward better health.
They say any time is a good time for
smokers to make a plan to quit, or to plan
in advance and quit smoking.
According to the Cancer Society, by
quitting even for one day, smokers take
an important step towards a healthier life
and reducing their cancer risk.
Here are some important facts: Tobac-
co use remains the single largest prevent-
able cause of disease and premature death
in the US, yet about 42 million Americans
still smoke cigarettes, approximately one
in every five adults.
As of 2012, there were also 13.4 mil-
lion cigar smokers in the US, and 2.3 mil-
lion who smoke tobacco in pipes.
More than a quarter of a million youth
who had never smoked a cigarette used
electronic cigarettes in 2013, according
to a CDC study published in the journal
Nicotine and Tobacco Research. These,
most likely, will be tomorrow’s tobacco
users.
Here are some health facts that may
support a decision to quit. Experts say for
those who quit, within:
• 20 Minutes: Your heart rate and
blood pressure drop.
• 12 Hours: The carbon monoxide lev-
el in our blood drops to normal.
• 2 weeks-3 months: Your circulation
improves and your lung function increas-
es.
• 1-9 months: Coughing and shortness
of breath decrease.
• 1 year: The excess risk of coronary
heart disease is half that of a continuing
smoker’s.
• 5 years: Risk of cancer of the mouth,
throat, esophagus, and bladder are cut in
half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a
non-smoker. Stroke risk can fall to that of
a non-smoker after 2-5 years.
• 10 years: The risk of dying from
lung cancer is about half that of a person
who is still smoking.
• 15 years: The risk of coronary heart
disease is that of a non-smoker’s.
That’s why health experts agree, quit-
ting tobacco is the best thing you can do
for your health.
The Grant County Health Department
say people can get help and information
by calling the Quit Line 1-800-QUIT-
NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit the
Quitline online at www.quitnow.net/
oregon.
Information for this column is from
Sheila Comer, Tobacco Prevention and
Education Program coordinator at the
Grant County Health Department, and the
American Cancer Society.
2015 Medical + Family Health Guide • MyEagleNews.com • Page 23