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On Thursday, November 20, 2008, SHW is proud to join with the
American Cancer Society to promote the Great American Smoke out®
and become a Smoke-Free Campus. With the right support,
smokers can boost the odds of a successful attempt at quitting
tobacco.
Consider the benefits of quitting:
- 20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
- 12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
- 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
- 1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like
structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the
ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
- 1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
- 5 years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
- 10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. The risk of cancer of the
mouth,throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.
- 15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker's.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Cheron McNear, Director of Hospital Education
at 202.574.5715. You can also call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org for
additional information on the Great American Smoke out and quitting smoking.
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