Question:
IMPORTANT INFO FOR SMOKERS!!!

Benefits of Stopping Smoking Sources: No Smoking Day, American Cancer Society 20 minutes - Blood pressure and pulse return to normal. Temperature of hands and feet increase to normal. 8 hours - Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood are halved; oxygen levels in the blood return to normal. 24 hours - Carbon Monoxide is eliminated from the body; lungs start to clear out debris. Chance of heart attack decreases. 48 hours - No nicotine left in the body; taste and smell are greatly improved; nerve endings start regrowing; walking becomes easier. 72 hours - Breathing becomes easier; bronchial tubes begin to relax; energy levels increase. 2 - 12 weeks - Circulation improves; lung function increases by up to 10 per cent; running becomes easier. 3 - 9 months - Decrease in coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath; Cilia regrowth in lungs, increases ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection. 1 year - Risk of coronary disease is half that of a smoker. 2 - 3 years - Risk of heart attack attributed to smoking is virtually gone. 10 years - Risk of lung cancer reduced to that of a non-smoker. 15 years - Risk of stroke reduced to that of non-smoker. British research confirms that stopping smoking at any age prior to the development of serious diseases, increases life expectancy. Those who quit before age 35 have a life expectancy not significantly different from that of a non-smoker. Even smokers who stop between 65 and 75 years of age have a better life expectancy beyond 75 than those who continue to smoke.    — franbvan (posted on June 24, 2003)

June 23, 2003
I will add this from my surgeon. Smokers heal slower, get more ulcers, have more pain from coughing, and get more leaks. Going weeks with nothing by mouth when you have a leak would be the pits.
   — bob-haller

June 25, 2003
Thank you both, I need all the motivation to keep smoke free I can get... 60+ hours of no smoking here!!!!! Thanks again!
   — colette73

June 25, 2003
I'm glad you posted this. I was a smoker for 5 years, about half a pack a day. I quit cold turkey. my motivation was the surgery. Everytime I wanted a cigarette, I reminded myself that I wanted the surgery more. For those of you who are smokers, you CAN do this, just find the way that works for you! I already feel so much better being smoke free for two months!
   — SweetDragonfly