• Facts About Smoking & Quitting Smoking
• The Effects of Smoking
• The Pros and Cons of Quitting Smoking

Facts About Smoking & Quitting Smoking

• You have to want to quit smoking or it won't happen.
• There is no one right or wrong way to stop smoking. Whatever works for you is the best way for you.
• The nicotine is out of your system in 2 weeks. After that it is the psychological process & habit that you are dealing with.
• The latest research shows that for every one cigarette you smoke you lose 11 minutes off of your life span.
• If you are in second hand smoke more than 1 hour a day, your risk for heart disease is increased by 20-30%.

The Effects of Smoking

• Cigarettes cause the blood vessels to become narrower (constrict) and therefore, lead to higher blood pressure and increased heart rate. Also, there is potential for increased facial wrinkling, which is caused from decreased amounts of oxygen.
• Cigarette smoke will produce carbon monoxide, blocking the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen to body tissues.
• The red blood cells of a smoker carry less oxygen; this increases the number of red blood cells and causes the blood to "thicken".
• Smoke damages artery wall lining allowing for cholesterol and platelets to cling to the damaged area causing plaque. This could lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Death from coronary artery disease is 1.5 to 2 times more prevalent in smokers.
• Cigarette smoke and nicotine cause the heart rate to raise by 15 to 25 beats per minute.
• Blood pressure can increase 10 to 20 mmHg on both systolic and diastolic readings. Higher heart rate and blood pressure generally last two to four hours after the cigarette has been smoked.

The Pros and Cons of quitting smoking

Pros: (Positive results)

1. Improved general health
2. Improved physical condition
3. Reduced risk of cancer
4. Reduced risk of heart disease
5. Reduced colds
6. Less coughs
7. Reduced addiction
8. Feeling fit
9. Saving money
10. Feeling proud of accomplishments
11. Being more in control
12. Less regret
13. Better for health of loved ones
14. Reducing annoyance of others
15. Better example to others

Cons: (possible negative results)

1. Weight gain
2. Becoming tense
3. Relaxation problems
4. Concentration problems
5. Feeling bored
6. Feeling less "cool"
7. Feeling less sociable
8. Missing the sociable feeling
9. Missing something to do

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