by admin | Jan 12, 2017 | Blog |
National non-smoking week has been running for over 30 years and takes place in the third week of January. It is one of Canada’s most important public health education efforts. This week is to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking. Quitting Successfully The detrimental effects of smoking have proven to be numerous and far reaching. Tobacco has been shown to have destructive effects on pretty much every organ in your body. People that smoke are exposed to an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and lung and respiratory issues. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet, which is why it is so difficult for many people to quit. Most people that have successfully stopped smoking did not manage it on their first try. It can take multiple attempts to make it stick. You may think there is no point in quitting smoking because you have smoked for the majority of your life. Studies have shown this is simply not true. Oxygen levels in your body can go back to regular levels in as little as 8 hours after smoking your last cigarette. The likelihood of suffering a heart attack begins to recede after just 48 hours. Your lung capacity begins to expand after only 72 hours of not smoking. Two or three months later your lung functionality increases substantially, and around a year later the risk of a heart attack caused by smoking is reduced by around 50%. For seniors, quitting smoking is likely the most effective thing you can do to improve your health if you are a smoker. There is hope... 
