Smoking is the #1 cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. More than 480,000 people die from tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke each year. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke also makes chronic diseases worse because smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and causes many diseases and affects the health of smokers in general. Quitting smoking can add years to your life. If you want to take charge of your health and free yourself from tobacco, ACCHD can give you personalized support and the tools and strategies to help you become smoke- and tobacco-free.

Ways to make quitting easier:

• Set a date to quit and don’t change it.
• Ask friends and family for support.
• Get rid of all cigarettes, ashtrays, and other tobacco products.
• Keep track of the money you’re saving. 
• Snack on sunflower seeds or carrot sticks to keep your mouth busy.
• Quitting smoking is hard. If you slip up, try again.

Every smoke-free day is a victory. About 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your blood pressure will start to return to normal levels. One day without cigarettes and your risk of heart attack will be lower. Within three days, your lung capacity will increase, and you’ll find yourself breathing easier. Within three weeks, fibers in your lungs that help keep the lungs healthy will be growing back. Within three years after quitting smoking, your risk of a heart attack will have decreased to that of a nonsmoker.

If you need help, we can help find the right program for you and we can get you answers fast by providing individualized assistance with applications, eligibility screening, and documentation. Visit our Angelina County Connects location at 503 Hill Street, Lufkin or call (936) 633-1442.