Tomorrow ~ The Great American Smoke Out

The Great American Smoke Out is taking place again this year tomorrow, November 20th. I challenge all you smokers out there to invest in the quality of your life... even if for just one day.

No matter how old you are or how long you've smoked, quitting will help you live longer. People who stop smoking before age 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years by half compared to those who don’t quit smoking. Ex-smokers (like me) enjoy a higher quality of life with fewer illnesses from cold and flu viruses, better self-reported health, and reduced rates of bronchitis and pneumonia.

Obvously, never starting to smoke is the best way to prevent smoking related illness. But did you know that quitting can actually reverse some damage? Its never too late to change your health.

Here are some quick facts about the positive results of quitting smoking:

- 20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
- 12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
- 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
- 1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
- 1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
- 5 years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
- 10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker, and your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.
- 15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker's.

Wow... In just 24 hours from your last cigar or cigarette, your body begins to heal itself. I challenge you smokers out there to give your body a break. At least for 24 hours. I know you can do it! You are worth it!