Quit Smoking and start enjoying its Benefits Almost Immediately

Peoria- Who doesn’t like birthdays? So why not create more birthdays for one self?

Thursday is the 34th annual American Smokeout, challenging the people not to smoke for 24 hours, as a hope that their decision to quit wills last forever.

By taking steps towards a healthier life, smokers will be able to gain years on their life expectancy.

According to the American Cancer Society, People who quit at 35 can gain eight more birthdays, and those people who quit at 55 can gain about more five.

Despite of the strides made reducing cigarette smoking for almost 15 consecutive years, smoking among the U.S adults rose slightly to just more than 20 percent according to the 2008 national survey by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

THE BENEFITS:

The benefit of quitting smoking begins immediately after the last puff.

Within 20 minutes: heart rate and blood pressure decreases.

Within eight hours: The level of the oxygen in the blood increases to normal.

Within 24 hours: chances of the heart attack decreases and the function of the lungs improves.

Within 48 hours: Nerve endings begin to re-grow, ability to taste and smell improves.

Between two weeks and three months: Blood circulation improves and lung function increases, less of fatigues.

Five to 15 years later: Most of the risk factors that once existed are gone, including for stroke and cancer.

THE COSTS:

The average payment by the smokers nationwide is $4.32 for one pack of cigarettes and often experience higher health and life insurance premiums.

The cost of health care related to smoking is $4.1 billion in Illinois. Annually in the U.S. cigarette smoking costs more than $193 billion in lost productivity and expenditure of health care