YES IT DOES!!!! A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that those who quit smoking after a heart attack lived longer than those who didn’t quit. They also discovered that just cutting down the number of cigarettes smoked improves survival time.

The study followed 1,500 heart attack survivors for 13 years. First time heart attack survivors who quit smoking were 37% less likely to die during the study period. This reduction in risk was similar to those heart attack survivors who never smoked-a 43% lower risk of death during the study compared to those who continued to smoke.

During the study period, 427 people died. The highest risk was to those who continued smoking, even when other risk factors such as obesity, exercise and overall health were taken into consideration. The good news is that risk is reduced 11% for every 5 cigarettes that are eliminated.

THE BOTTOM LINE: It is NEVER too late to quit smoking!!! Even if you have already had a heart attack, you can live longer if you cut back or kick the cigarettes totally!!!

The 34th Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is scheduled to take place Nov. 19, 2009.  The purpose of this day is to help smokers quit by giving up tobacco for one full day with the hope that they will one day quit completely.
Although lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, it is the most preventable form of cancer.  The American Cancer Society estimates that 161,000 people will die from lung cancer this year and there will be 220,000 new cases diagnosed.  How is this form of cancer prevented? The key is to never start smoking.  However, if you do smoke, quitting will decrease your risk of developing lung cancer.  Quitting also decreases your risk for heart attack and stroke.
 Two helpful websites with resources to help you quit smoking are:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/subsite/greatamericans/index.asp
http://www.smokefree.gov/
JOIN THE GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT on 11/19/09!!!!! 

YOU CAN DO IT!!!