BLOOMINGTON – Smoking and tobacco products come with many well-known health concerns, including increasing the risk of cancer and heart disease. This September, IU Health Community Health Tobacco Prevention Program Manager Cara Wickens encourages tobacco users to celebrate Healthy Aging Month by taking steps to quit this bad habit.
“We all want to be as healthy as possible, for as long as possible,” said Wickens. “Never using tobacco products in the first place is ideal, but quitting smoking and tobacco products can be a step in the right direction in terms of both short- and long-term health.”
The American Cancer Society shares that:
- Your heart rate and blood pressure drop 20 minutes after quitting.
- The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal a few days after quitting.
- Your circulation improves, and your lung function increases two weeks to three months after quitting.
- Your risk of heart attack drops dramatically one to two years after quitting.
- Your risk of stroke decreases, and your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box is cut in half five to 10 years after quitting.
- Your risk of lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking (after 10 to 15 years) 10 years after quitting.
- Your risk of coronary heart disease is close to that of a non-smoker 15 years after quitting.
“Second-hand smoke can also increase a non-smoker’s risk of many of the health issues listed above, which is why quitting smoking can help the health of your loved ones,” said Wickens.
Wickens shared that quitting tobacco can even affect a person’s appearance since teeth and finger stains can start to fade with time, and skin can even begin to repair itself as blood flow is restored.
“Healthy aging, the health of others, physical appearance—there are many reasons why you may want to quit tobacco, and I firmly believe that anyone can reach this goal,” said Wickens. “The first step is having the right resources available to support you on this journey.”
Call 1-800-Quit-Now, text 21586 for help from a trained quit coach and to get started on a quit plan if you don’t already have one. You can also call this number for free, evidence-based tobacco cessation support. Visit QuitNowIndiana.com to learn more.
For local tobacco prevention and control efforts, visit the Tobacco Free Coalition of Monroe County on Facebook. And check out iuhealth.findhelp.com to find free and reduced-cost resources.
