Each year, the third Thursday of November marks the American Cancer Society’s Great Smokeout Day. This day is particularly special as it encourages people of all ages to stop smoking for at least a day.
About 18 percent of Americans say they are smokers. Although this counts as a dramatic percentage drop compared to percentages from years past, the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is on the rise. This means that people do not necessarily stop smoking, they just recur to other solutions.
However, tobacco use remains the leader in terms of preventable causes of death. According to a pole by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 8 million American people will have died because of this habit, by the year 2030.
Some other disturbing numbers can be 87% – the percentage of people who die of lung cancer caused by smoking; 25% – the average percentage a low income person out of his income for smoking purposes; 15 years – the number of years you need after you stop smoking to reach the same coronary heart disease risk that a non-smoker has.
Some almost immediate results that you see after you stop smoking are a drop in your heart rate and blood pressure, as the values go back to normal (after 20 minutes), the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops back to normal (after 12 hours), your blood circulation and your lung function improve(after two weeks to three months). Coughing and shortness of breath can be held under control after one to nine months.
Despite the risks and the numbers, millions of Americans still continue to smoke. Over 42 million people across the US smoke cigarettes and another 16 million smoke cigars or pipes. Tobacco, no matter how you use it, is still addictive.
As the Great Smokeout Day is happening nationwide, several activities, rallies, parades and educational events are scheduled. This way, smokers that want to quit for at least a day will be busy the entire day. A cigarette is not as important as spending time doing things you enjoy.
Quitting cigarettes is not an easy deal, everyone knows that. Some experts even suggest that tobacco addiction is stronger than heroin addiction, at a certain level. If you need help, guidance or assistance with quitting, you can always contact the American Cancer Society 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-227-2345.
