Great Smoke out

Great American Smokeout

If you have tried to quit smoking before, take comfort in the fact that most smokers try several times to quit smoking before they succeed. Studies have shown that 95% of quitters return to smoking within a year.  The smoking habit has been shown to be as hard to break as heroin addiction.  Begin your quitting journey for the last time with smokers across the nation at the Great American Smokeout. 
The Great American Smokeout happens every year on the third Thursday of November. Smokers take part by smoking less, quitting for the day or quitting for good.
The argument that it is too late to quit smoking because the damage is already done is untrue.  See the following list:
" 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.
" 1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease. 
" 5 years after quitting: Your stroke risk drops 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 smoker's.
" 15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker's.

Research shows that most successful quitters use many tools. For example, nicotine replacements and counseling can help. Others have done it with prescription drugs, guide books, or the help of friends and family members.  If you smoke and would like to quit, call the American Cancer Society's toll-free Quitline at 1-800-ACS-2345. Or, you can log on to www.cancer.org/greatamericans to start your person plan.   You can also visit The Foundation for a Smokefree America at www.tobaccofree.com.