Quit Smoking
Your health can improve in just twenty minutes.
If you’re a smoker, you’ve probably thought about quitting. Maybe you’ve given it a try or two (or three, or four…). You know that smoking is bad for your health. You also know that smoking can cause lung disease, cancer, stroke, coronary heart disease, and other chronic health conditions.
But did you know that when you quit, your health begins to improve in the first twenty minutes after your last cigarette?
| Time Since Last Cigarette | Health Benefit |
|---|---|
| 20 minutes | Pulse rate drops; Blood pressure decreases; body temperature of hands and feet return to normal |
| 12 hours | Carbon monoxide level in bloodstream drops to normal |
| Two weeks to three months | Circulation improves; Walking becomes easier; Lung function increases |
| One to nine months | Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decreases |
| One year | Added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s |
| Five to 15 years | Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker’s |
| 10 years | Lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s; risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases |
| 15 years | Risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a non-smoker’s |
It can take seven to 10 attempts to quit before you quit for good. Getting the right support will help you get there. We’ll help you find the resources you need to take the next step.
Take advantage of Quit Smoking resources
New York State Smoker’s Quitline
The New York State Smokers’ Quitline offers useful and proven resources to help people who want to quit smoking. Call the Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visit their website at: www.nysmokefree.com
Know your health plan benefits
Many of our health plans cover patch and gum nicotine replacement products. Talk to your doctor about your options.
