Trying to quit smoking? Patches, drugs help: study
The study does not prove that the medications are responsible for the greater success in quitting, merely that people who use them are more likely to quit.
“The disappointing reality is that even when people use these medications to help them quit, relapse is still the norm. It’s better than nothing, but it’s by no means a magic bullet.”
EALTH BENEFITS OF QUITTING SMOKING TIMELINE
20 min.
Blood pressure and pulse return to normal.
8 hrs
Oxygen levels return to normal.
Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half.
12 hrs
Carbon monoxide levels in blood drop to normal.2
24 hrs
Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body.
Lungs start to clear out mucous and other smoking debris.
48 hrs
There is no nicotine left in the body.
Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved.
72 hrs
Breathing becomes easier.
Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
2-12 weeks
Circulation improves.
Lung function increases.
3 - 9 months
Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung functions are increased by up to 10%.
12 months
Excess risk of coronary heart disease is reduced by about half and declines gradually hereafter.
5 yrs.
Risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
Risk of stroke returns to the level of people who have never smoked (5 - 15 years).
10 yrs.
Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker.
15 yrs.
Risk of lung cancer is reduced to close to that observed in nonsmokers.
Risk of coronary heart disease falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.
If you have quit smoking before age 50 you have halved the risk of dying in the next 15 years compared with continuing smokers.
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SOURCE: Addiction, online August 14, 2012.