Tobacco use remains the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. More than 400,000 Americans die each year from tobacco-related disease.
Some reasons to quit:
After 1 year off cigarettes, the excess risk of
heart disease and sudden death caused by
smoking is reduced by half.
After 15 years of
abstinence, the risk of heart disease is similar
to that of people who've never smoked.
In 5 to 15 years, the risk of stroke for ex-smokers returns to the level of those who've never smoked.
Male smokers who quit between ages 35 to 39 can add up to 15 years to their life. Female quitters in this age group can add up to 12 years. Men and women who quit at ages 65 to 69 increase their life expectancy by up to 3 years.
- The 1990 Surgeon General's Report on,
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