Smoking Prevention and Control
It's Never Too Late to Quit
The fact is, no matter how long you have smoked, quitting now will help you live a longer and healthier life. Your body will begin to benefit right away.
Benefits of Quitting
- You will feel better as your heart rate drops and blood pressure improves.
- After 8 hours, your will have about half the amount of carbon monoxide in your blood. More oxygen will reach your heart, lungs and muscles making you feel stronger and have more energy.
- Food will taste better as your sense of smell and taste return. This improves significantly after day 2 or 3.
- You will save money from not buying cigarettes and spend less on health care-related expenses.
- Your appearance will improve as your clothes and breath will no longer smell like smoke, teeth will be whiter and fingers will be clear of tobacco stains.
- Overtime, you will reduce the risk of developing serious illnesses such as bronchitis, pneumonia, heart disease, and lung cancer.
- You will save money from not buying cigarettes and spend less on health care-related expenses.
- You will feel better knowing that you are doing something good to improve your health and quality of life.
- Best of all, you will protect those you love from secondhand smoke.
Get Help Quitting
Help for Youth
Please keep in mind that switching to vaping products or e-cigarettes is not a solution!
E-cigarettes and Vaping Products
Approved Regulations
Allegheny County has been proactive in their smoke-free policies to include electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are not safer than regular cigarettes, and they have been associated with a recent emergence of severe lung disease in individuals around the US. In 2017, the county ratified amendments enacted by the Board of Health surrounding electronic cigarettes and vaping products. These regulations prohibit the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products in indoor public places where cigarettes are already prohibited.
The following regulations took effect on March 20, 2017.
Get Informed
Allegheny County Health Department
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