Did you know tobacco use is still the single leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in the world? Life expectancy for smokers is at least 10 years shorter than that of a nonsmoker.

The American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout is on November 16! It’s a time for America’s estimated 36.5 million tobacco users to make a plan to quit.

It’s never too late to give up tobacco.

• Just 20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure will drop.
• After 12 hours the carbon monoxide in your blood drops to a normal level.
• Two weeks to three months later, your circulation and lung function improve. You’ll also start saving a lot of money! Food will start to taste better, your sense of smell will improve, you’ll start to smell better, your teeth and nails will stop yellowing, and ordinary activities won’t leave you out of breath.
• One to nine months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath will decrease. This is because the small hair-like structures on your lungs called cilia begin regaining normal function, allowing them to handle mucus, clean your lungs and fight infection.
• One year after quitting your risk of heart attack drops significantly.
• Five years after quitting, your risk of cancer in the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder is cut in half. Your risk of stroke falls to that of a non-smoker.
• After 10 years, risk of death from lung cancer is half that of a person who smokes.
• Finally, after 15 years your risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker.

For more information and resources to help you quit, visit the American Cancer Society’s website by clicking here.