The Laboratory will honor this country's military veterans with a number of activities at the Lab Wednesday, including a fun run and walk. Thursday is officially Veterans Day in the United States and an official Laboratory holiday. The cold-turkey lunch coincides with the American Cancer Society's 23rd annual Great American Smokeout to encourage smokers to stop smoking. Now, there are many approaches available for a smoker to kick the habit. There will be literature about quitting smoking available, as well as information about studies comparing success rates and the various methods used.
Many smokers try multiple times before they are successful.
And according to Anderson, it is never too late to stop smoking. After one day without smoking, a smoker's chances of heart attack decreases and after two days, nerve endings start regrowing and a smoker's ability to smell and taste is enhanced. Within three months, a former smoker's lung capacity increases up to 30 percent. After nine months of no smoking, a smoker's overall energy increases, while coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease. Anderson said after one year of not smoking, risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.