The Communities of Color Network educates families, students, and others throughout the state about the harmful effects of tobacco. But did you know that every minute counts when you stop smoking?

According to Tobacco-Free Living:

Twenty minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
Eight hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
Two weeks to three months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
One month to nine months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
One year after quitting: Your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
Five years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.
10 years after quitting: Your risk of lung cancer death is half that of a person who continues to smoke.
15 years after quitting: Your risk of heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.

Make this minute count, stop smoking now.

If you smoke or chew tobacco and you've decided to quit, 1-800-QUIT-NOW is a free service that can help. When you call, a trained quit coach in your state will work with you to help you quit and avoid the things that tempt you back into the habit.

For more information on the Communities of Color network, contact Linda Early Brown, project director, at (225) 771-2242 ext. 326 or linda_brown@suagcenter.com

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