Tobacco Use
Are you ready to quit or cut back your tobacco use? Not yet convinced? Well the following table illustrates the positive changes your body will go through if you decide to make the healthy choice to quit smoking* (maybe this will convince you):
**Note: Time periods mentioned are to be taken as a general measure only, will vary from individual to individual and are dependent upon the length of habit and amount smoked. Over time, if no permanent damage has been done, the ex-smoker approaches the status of someone who never smoked.
| Within 20 minutes after the last cigarette** |
- Blood pressure drops to normal
- Pulse rate drops to normal
- Skin temperature of hands and feet increases to normal
|
| After 8 hours |
- Carbon monoxide level in blood drops
- Oxygen level in the blood increases
|
| After 24 hours |
- Chance of heart attack is reduced
|
| After 48 hours |
- Nerve endings start to re-grow
- Ability to smell and taste is enhanced
|
| After 72 hours |
- Bronchial tubes relax and breathing becomes easier
- Lung capacity increases
|
| In 2 weeks - 3 months |
- Circulation improves
- Walking becomes easier
- Lung function may increase up to 20%
|
| In 1 -9 months |
- Coughing, sinus congestions, fatigue, shortness of breath decreases remarkably
- Cilia start to re-grow in the lungs (increases the ability of the body to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection)
- The body's overall energy level increases
|
| After 5 years |
- Pre-cancerous cells are replaced
- Chance of other cancers - such as those of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases (there are 50 chemicals in tobacco smoke that cause cancer)
|
| *Table developed by the Royal Inland Hospital Cardio-Pulmonary Therapy Unit |