Dr. Danielle Terry, PHD, ABBP, is the Director of Behavioural Science at Guthrie Family Medicine. She talked to 18 News about the benefits of quitting smoking and some little-known risks of smoking.
Smoking remains the single greatest preventable cause of death and illness in the world.
“There are a number of short-term and long-term effects that we see that occur,” when people stop smoking, said Dr. Terry.
The risk of cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, and COPD increase when people smoke.
According to Dr. Terry, smokers see their blood pressure drop within 20 minutes of when they stop smoking. Smokers can also experience a better sense of smell and taste when they quit.
It may take seven or eight tries to quit smoking, but the keys for quitting successfully are to have a plan, find support, and keep trying.
For more information, visit Guthrie.org.
