Smoking hurts your health.

• Raises your risk of cancer
• Puts you at risk for heart and lung diseases
• Lowers your energy level
• Weakens your body's ability to fight infection
• Harms your sense of taste and smell
• Stains your teeth and ages your skin

Smoking also harms those around you. Children in a smoker's home have a greater risk of asthma, as well as respiratory and ear infections.

The benefits of quitting tobacco happen sooner than you think.

• Within 20 minutes, your blood pressure goes down and your heart rate slows to a normal rate.
• Within 48 hours, your risk of heart attack decreases and your ability to smell and taste improves.
• After 3 weeks, your lungs work better and your circulation improves.
• After 3 months, your lungs are becoming more healthy and you are less likely to get colds.
• After 1 year, your risk of sudden death from a heart attack is cut almost in half.
• After 5 years, your risk of lung cancer is cut almost in half.

Talk to your doctor about quitting.

There are some medicines that can help you to quit. You can also check with local hospitals, your health department, the American Cancer Society or an American Heart Association office near you for classes, self-help information and support.

• Call The Ohio Tobacco Quit Line:  1-800-784-8669
• Franklin County Smoking Cessation Resources
• Quit for Good - Free counseling to quit tobacco and free nicotine replacement therapy is available through this program at Columbus Public Health. Call for more information at (614) 645-0268.

For More Information

Smokefree Families

American Lung Association

Smokefree.gov 

Related Programs and Services

Office of Health Promotion