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Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States and in North Carolina. If that's not enough reason to quit, then consider the following:
- If you are a one pack a day smoker, you can save over $1000 per year if you quit.
- Within 2 weeks to 3 months of quitting your heart attack risk drops and your lung function improves.
- Within 5 to 15 years after quitting your risk of stroke is that of a person who never smoked.
It is important to distinguish between wanting to quit and needing to quit. Most people know that they need to quit, and are aware of the health effects of tobacco use.
- Identify reasons you want to quit. To improve your health, for a loved one, so that you can enjoy playing sports...anything that motivates you. This can remind you why you want to quit.
- Get support. Whether from a family member, a friend, or by calling the N.C. Tobacco Use Quitline, you can get the support you need to help you quit using tobacco. Success rates are much higher for tobacco users who have support while trying to kick the habit.
- Make a plan. Start by setting a quit date and tell your family, friends and co-workers so that they can support you in your attempt to quit using tobacco products. Think about the challenges you will face and how you can handle these challenges.
- Get rid of the temptation. Remove all tobacco products from your environment.
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Call the N.C. Tobacco Use Quitline
1-800-784-8669
TTY# 1-877-777-6534
- We are open from 8:00 am until midnight, seven days a week.
- Our services are available to all North Carolinians, youth and adult.
- Our expert Tobacco Quit Coaches can call you back upon request.
- English, Spanish and other lanugages available.
- All calls are free and confidential.
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Within 20 Minutes of Quitting...
- Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years.
- 20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate drops.
- 12 hours after quitting, carbon monoxide levels in your blood drops to normal.
- 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting, your heart attack risk begins to drop. Your lung function begins to improve.
- 1 to 9 months after quitting, your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
- 1 year after quitting, your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
- 5 years after quitting, your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker's 5 - 15 years after quitting.
- 10 years after quitting, your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker's. Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
- 15 years after quitting, your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker's.
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The Benefits of Quitting: Compared to smokers, your...
- Stroke risk is reduced to that of a person who never smoked after 5 to 15 years of not smoking.
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus risks are halved 5 years after smoking.
- Cancer of the larynx risk is reduced after quitting.
- Coronary heart disease risk is cut by half 1 year after quitting and is nearly the same as someone who never smoked 15 years after quitting.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk of death is reduced after you quit.
- Lung cancer risk drops by as much as hslf 10 years after quitting.
- Ulcer risk drops after quitting.
- Bladder cancer risk is halved a few years after quitting.
- Peripheral artery disease goes down after quitting.
- Cervical cancer risk is reduced a few years after quitting.
- Low birthweight baby risk drops to normal if you quit before pregnancy or during your first trimester.
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The purpose of the "You Can Quit Smoking" (PDF, 280 kb) booklet is to inform you of ways you can get help to quit smoking. It explains the best for you to quit - and quit for good. All the information in the booklet is based on scientific research about what will give you the best chances of quitting. Names and addresses to help and more information are included.
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Why Quit Using Tobacco?
