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SCAD offers stop-smoking
program By Robert Belloir We have all heard the bad news about smoking; studies that tell of the addictive nature of smoking; lung cancers that occur in 90 percent of male smokers and 70 percent of female smokers; cardiovascular deaths that strike one out every five American smokers each year; and that 16 million Americans suffer from pulmonary diseases attributable to smoking. So why, then, do people still smoke? Certainly, they do not smoke for their health. Despite statistics revealing the evils of smoking, Americans continue to puff away their lives. Recognizing that information focusing on the negative effects of smoking does not get through to every smoker, the National Cancer Society has included in its booklet “Questions About Smoking Tobacco and Health” some interesting new statistics that provide great incentives to the person who wants to quit. These statistics address the benefits that come to the smoker when the smoker decides to quit. For example, within 20 minutes of smoking the last cigarette, the body begins a series of regenerating changes. After 20 minutes, blood pressure drops to a level close to that before the last cigarette and the temperature of hands and feet increases to normal. After eight hours, the carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal. After 24 hours, the chance of having a heart attack decreases. Within three months, circulation improves and lung function increases up to 30 percent. In one to nine months, coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decrease and cilia regain normal function in lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection. After 10 years, the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker and the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidneys, and pancreas decreases. By year 15, the risk of coronary heart disease equals that of a nonsmoker. The American Cancer Society notes that the extent to which these risks fall depends on the total amount the person smoked, the age the person started and the amount of inhalation. However, it is never too late to go down the road to improved health. Savannah College of Art and Design’s health and wellness department offers a four-week program for those who wish to be smoke-free. This one-hour per week program is offered free of charge beginning Feb. 13 at noon on the fourth floor of American Hall, 7 Drayton St. The program is called “Freshstart” and is designed to help participants stop smoking by providing them with all of the essential information and strategies needed to direct their own efforts at stopping. The program is open to all students, staff and faculty. Please call 525-6971 to register. The session will be limited to the first 10 registrants. Belloir is the assistant vice president for student services. |
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