November 16: Great American Smokeout

There has never been a better time to quit. That's the message from the American Cancer Society for this year's Great American Smokeout. We all know just how hard it is - how addictive tobacco is - but it can be done and ACS wants to help you do it.

Why quit?

• Within 20 minutes your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
• Within 12 hours your blood carbon monoxide level drops.
• Within 3 months your circulation and lung function improve.
• Within 9 months coughing, shortness of breath and immune function improve.
• Within 1 year the risk of coronary disease decreases and you look prettier (the latter is non-scientific - my personal observation)
• Within 5 years your risk of stroke is decreased.
• Within 10 years your risk of cancer is decreased.

ACS offers Quitline - someone will call you to help you get through your Quit Day. People are available to talk to get you through the tough times.

For more in-depth information, read Healthline's Health Expert Jonathan Fould's Freedom from Smoking.

Thank you smokegirl_rebekah for use of image Neon Smoker Project