Keep Your Resolution to Quit Smoking in 2013

If your New Year's resolution was to quit smoking, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has resources to help you out. Head over to BeTobaccoFree.gov  for information on how smoking affects your health and steps to take on the day you decide to quit.

If you're still looking for motivation to quit, consider the following. If you quit smoking right now:

• Within 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
• Within 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal. 
• Within three months, your circulation and lung function improve. 
• Within nine months, you will cough less and breathe easier. 
• After one year, your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half. 
• After five years, your risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder is cut in half. 
• After 10 years, you are half as likely to die from lung cancer. Your risk of developing larynx or pancreatic cancer also decreases.
• After 15 years, your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker's. 

To learn more, click here.