On Wednesday, March 23, 2011, the Institute for Prevention recognizes Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism that empowers youth to take action against tobacco use at more than 1,000 events across the United States.
New Jersey -- In the United States, tobacco use is responsible for approximately 443,000 deaths per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An estimated 49,000 of these tobacco-related deaths are the result of secondhand smoke exposure. The good news is that the United States now boasts more ex-smokers than current smokers. Of those still smoking, 70 percent report seriously considering quitting within the next six months (CDC). If you are one of them, the Institute for Prevention (IFP), Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Network, an affiliate of Barnabas Health, encourages you to stop as soon as possible and offers these 10 great benefits of quitting:
- Immediately your breath, clothes and hair smell better.
- The embarrassment you may feel from smoking instantly lifts.
- Premature wrinkling of the skin and staining of your teeth cease right away.
- Within one day, your chance of having a heart attack goes down.
- After two days, your food begins to taste better and your sense of smell returns to normal.
- Within two to 12 weeks, ordinary activities no longer leave you out of breath.
- Within one to nine months, you will feel more energized.
- Within one year, your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker.
- After five years, you have a significantly reduced risk of getting lung cancer and your chance of having a stroke is the same as that of a nonsmoker.
- Within ten years, if you are a pack a day smoker, you will save about $36,500.
If you are ready to quit, or simply thinking about it, the IFP will provide you with the support and tools you need to succeed. In addition to coaching from trained Tobacco Treatment Specialists, the IFP’s Tobacco Quit Program offers a customized quit-smoking plan; ongoing individual, group and/or family counseling; up-to-date information on the latest prescription and non-prescription smoking medications; effective tools to reduce withdrawal symptoms; and weight and stress management strategies. For more information, please visit www.instituteforprevention.com or call 973-926-7978 (northern NJ) or 732-886-4149 (central NJ).
The mission of the Institute for Prevention is to reduce the factors that place individuals, families and communities at risk, and to promote healthy lifestyles.
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