The American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking program is for tobacco users who are ready to quit. Because most people already know that smoking is bad for their health, this proven program focuses almost exclusively on how to quit, not why to quit.
Highlights include weekly meetings, virtual group classes, ongoing support and a quit plan with topics like lifestyle changes to make quitting easier, stress management, and avoiding weight gain. It all adds up to ending your tobacco dependence once and for all.
If you’re still not sure if now’s the right time to quit, consider these health benefits from the American Cancer Society:
-
20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
-
12 hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
-
Two weeks to three months after quitting, your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
-
One to nine months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
-
One year after quitting, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of someone who still smokes, and your heart attack risk drops dramatically.
-
Five years after quitting, your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder is cut in half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker, and your stroke risk can fall to that of a non-smoker after two years.
“Now’s the time,” Murray explains. “You won’t be alone in your journey to Freedom from Smoking! We’re here to help every step of the way.”
