FAST FACTS ABOUT SMOKING
Over 30% of cancer could be
prevented by avoiding tobacco and
alcohol, having a healthy diet and
physical activity
Smoking makes the risk
of a heart attack 200% to
400% greater than that of
non-smokers
15 billion cigarettes are
smoked worldwide,
every day
Exposure to second-hand smoke
causes nearly 50 000 deaths each
year in the US alone
Tobacco addicts are most
likely to consider quitting
the habit on Mondays
Smoking is the single
most preventable major
cause of illness and early death
QUITTING TIMELINE
20 minutes after last cigarette:
Blood pressure and pulse rate drops;
body temperature rises towards normal.
24 hours after quitting:
Chance of a heart attack decreases.
After 2 weeks to 3 months:
Circulation improves, walking becomes easier and
lung function improves.
After 1 year:
Excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half
that of a smoker.
After 10 years:
Risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one and half that of a smoker;
risk of mouth cancer, throat, oesophagus, bladder and kidney.
Page 13
Bonitas Member Magazine 2016 Issue 4