In keeping with the hospital's vision of a "Healthy Community," Hermann Area District Hospital has implemented a smoke-free policy. No smoking or tobacco products will be allowed at any hospital operated facilities. This policy is part of the hospital's ongoing effort to promote community health and wellness, to prevent and treat disease, and to ensure a safe, clean environment.
Benefits of Smoking Cessation
Within 24 hours:
- Circulation improves
- Carbon monoxide in the blood declines
- Oxygen-binding capacity of the red blood cells begins to improve
- More oxygen begins to be delivered to the body's cells
- Hypertension risks from smoking begin to decline
Within 48 hours:
- Sense of taste and smell begin to improve
Within one week:
- Breathing gets easier
- Skin tone and pallor (paleness) improve
- Sinuses begin to clear
Within one month:
- Oxygen is delivered to muscles more efficiently
- Exercising is easier
- Smoker's cough decreases
- The body is less stressed, so energy levels increase
Within one year:
- The risk of developing may illnesses--including pneumonia, influenza, colds, peptic ulcers, coronary heart disease and osteoporosis--is lowered
Within 5 years:
- Significant reduction in the risk of lung cancer and cancers of the mouth and esophagus
- Continued decline in the risk of coronary heart disease
Within 10 years:
- The risk of smoking-related heart attack may begin to decline to a level similar to a person who has never smoked
Within 15 years:
- The risk of smoking-related lung cancer may begin to decline to a level similar to a person who has never smoked