Quit Smoking And Save $3,300 A Year!

Today (November 17th) is the Great American Smoke Out, a day sponsored by the American Cancer Society to encourage people to quit smoking. As you may know, the idea is for smokers to take just one day off from their smoking habit.

And for those needing a bit more motivation to quit smoking, one doctor suggests thinking about how cigarettes affect your bank account.

Dr. Carlos Reynes of Loyola University told UPI.com at $7 to $9 a pack, those with a pack-a-day habit spend about $2,500 to $3,300 each year.

But not only do the wealth benefits kick in immediately, so do the health benefits.

"Twenty minutes after quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure drop. Twelve hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal," Reynes said. "One year after quitting, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker's." - Via UPI.com

The American Cancer Society's 36th Great American Smoke out on November 17 is encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.