Time To Quit Smoking

IT'S QUITTING TIME NorthShore University HealthSystem explores the heavy consequences of smoking and the big benefits of quitting. +NorthShore University Health S ystem WHAT'S INA CIGARETTE? 600 & 8, 4,000 dhemicals produced when lit: t 70+ ingredients, carcinogens THE YEARLY BILL Acetone Ammonia If you buy into this habit, here are the costs. Found in nail polish remover Found in household cleaners Pack-a-day habit in Illinois plus tax: Arsenic Found in rat poison - Butane Found in lighter fluid Cadmium Found in battery acid Carbon monoxide $ 4,230 Found in car exhaust Lost productivity & direct healthcare expenses: Formaldehyde Found in embalming fluid Hexamine Found in lighter fluid 3 $193 billion Lead Naphthalene Found in batteries Found in mothballs Smoking-related deaths: Methanol Nicotine Found in rocket fuel Found in insecticide 393,000 Tar Found in road pavement Toluene Found in paint SECONDHAND SMOKE When you light up, everyone around you smokes too. Secondhand smoke is responsible for: A 20-30% increased risk of lung cancer, A 25-30% increased risk of heart disease, contributing to 7,500 - 15,000 contributing to 46,000 hospitalizations of children under 18 3,400 heart disease lung cancer months old. deaths.* deaths.* *data for nonsmokers THE DAMAGE YOU DO - Smoking affects the entire body. Here's what happens when you light up. Nose and eyes begin to water. Throat becomes Chemicals flood the body. irritated. Cells that keep lungs clear are paralyzed. Sense of taste & smell are dulled. Tar buildup begins. Blood vessels constrict & skin wrinkles. This effect, known as "smoker's face," is said to affect nearly A pack-a-day smoker ingests a full cup of tar into his lungs each year. half of all smokers. Heart rate increases between Blood absorbs 10-25 beats per minute. carbon monoxide. Blood pressure jumps 10-15%. BE A QUITTER Smoking can take 10 years off your life. Kicking the habit before 40 could give those years back. 20 minutes Heart rate and blood pressure return to normal. 12 hours Carbon monoxide levels in blood return to normal. 1-3 months Circulation and lung function improve. Coughing and shortness of breath decrease and cilia functionality returns to normal. 1 -9 months 1 year v Risk of heart disease is cut in half. 5 years Risk of mouth, throat, esophageal and bladder cancer are cut in half. Stroke risk returns to that of a nonsmoker. 10 years 1/2 Lung cancer mortality risk is cut in half. 15 years Risk of heart disease returns to that of a nonsmoker. SOURCES: www.northshore.org www.cancer.org www.lung.org www.usatoday.com www.cdc.gov www.theawl.com health.howstuffworks.com