Breathe Easy

Here’s the good news:

Now some bad news: While smoking rates are falling, one in 10 Australians over the age of 14 still smokes. Smoking kills 15,000 Australians each year, making it the leading cause of preventable death, and costs more than $30 billion in disease care. And in New Zealand, around 5000 people die each year because of smoking or second-hand smoke exposure. That’s 13 people a day.

But here’s further good news: If a smoker quits, their body shows signs of healing—such as lower blood pressure—after just six hours. After 15 years, a former smoker’s risk of heart disease and stroke is about the same as someone who never smoked. 

So if you are a smoker, today is a great day to quit and live more! 

Find out more at: http://www.quitnow.gov.au/ (Australia) or www.quit.org.nz (New Zealand)