Tobacco Cessation

QUIT SMOKING, IMPROVE HEALTH – AFTER…

20 MINUTES
Blood pressure and pulse rate drop; body temperature rises toward normal.

12 HOURS
Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal; oxygen level rises to normal.

1-9 MONTHS
Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease.

2 WEEKS-3 MONTHS
Circulation improves; walking becomes easier; lung function improves; heart attack risk decreases.

1 YEAR
Excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker.

5-15 YEARS
Stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.

10 YEARS
Risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that of continuing smokers; risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases; risk of ulcer decreases.

15 YEARS
Risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that of people who have never smoked; risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked.

(Source: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids-Benefits from Quitting Tobacco Use)

As these milestones suggest, tobacco use is a leading health indicator and one of the most preventable causes of disease. Your Student Health Services (SHS) has integrated tobacco cessation into its clinical services. SHS will ask students whether they use tobacco, advise those who use tobacco to quit and make referrals to evidence-based cessation services such as South Carolina Quit Line and other on/off campus cessation services.

To access SHS’ tobacco cessation services, students may call to make an appointment. SHS’ tobacco cessation services are FREE and will include cessation counseling (clinical assessment), medical prescriptions (if indicated), and referrals to on/off campus cessation support/services; charges for all off campus services will be the student's responsibility.