Tobacco use is the largest preventable cause of death and disease in Ontario. It kills 13,000 Ontarians each year. Annually it costs the health care system $1.6 billion, with at least 500,000 days spent in hospital because of smoking related illness, and $4.4 billion in lost productivity.
Quitting smoking is often made easier with help, advice, support from your family, stop-smoking groups or telephone support, as well as nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, etc) or medication.
Stopping smoking can have enormous benefits for every aspect of your life.
Did You Know?
- 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
- 2 days after stopping smoking, your senses of smell and taste begin to return.
- 1 year after you stop smoking, your risk of heart disease is cut by one-half.
- Within 3 years after you quit, your risk of heart disease is the same as someone who never smoked.
- Within 10 years after quitting, your risk of lung cancer is cut in half.
