Smoking Cessation

Stopping the use of tobacco products is one of the best things you can do for your health! All forms of tobacco are dangerous and have devastating health consequences.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking

According to the American Lung Association, when smokers quit, within twenty minutes of smoking that last cigarette the body begins a series of changes.

At 20 minutes after quitting:

• Blood pressure decreases
• Pulse rate drops
• Body temperature of hands and feet increases

At 8 hours:

• Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
• Oxygen level in blood increases to normal

At 24 hours:

• Chance of a heart attack decreases

At 48 hours:

• Nerve endings start re-growing
• Ability to smell and taste is enhanced

At 2 weeks to 3 months:

• Circulation improves
• Walking becomes easier
• Lung function increases

At 1 to 9 months:

• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decreases

At 1 year:

• Excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker

At 5 years:

• From 5 to 15 years after quitting, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.

At 10 years:

• Risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that of continuing smokers
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases
• Risk of ulcer decreases

At 15 years:

• Risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that of people who have never smoked
• Risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked.

Try the 5 D’s to get through the tough times:

1. Delay: The craving will eventually go away.

2. Deep breath: Take a few calming deep breaths.

3. Drink water: It will flush out the chemicals.

4. Do something else: Find a new habit.

5. Discuss: Talk about your thoughts and feelings.

Make a list with describing why you want to quit. Refer back to this list when you’re tempted. Reward yourself when you quit. Plan something special for yourself. For example, with all the money you’ve saved from quitting smoking, buy yourself some new CDs.Anatomy of a CigaretteHere are just a few chemicals in cigarettes: There are more than 4,000 substances found in cigarettes! Do you really want these chemicals poisoning your body???

Helpful Resources

• For information about our 2021 smoking cessation programs, Tobacco-Free LLHD, please contact Carolyn Wilson at 860-446-3062 or [email protected].
• The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health provides free information and cessation support on their Connecticut QuitLine. Call 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669) to talk with a professionally trained Quit Coach. The QuitLine is open seven days a week from 8 AM to Midnight.
• For more information about Tobacco Cessation, visit:

• The CDC’s TIPS page (Tobacco Information and Prevention Source)
• The EX Campaign page and develop a plan to become an EX-smoker