Thursday is the 35th “Great American Smokeout.”  The day was created to encourage those smokers wishing to stop to make a plan and take the first steps to stop. The Great American Smokeout also encourages friends of smokers to be supportive and buddy-up with their friends that want to quit.  Some of the immediate benefits of quitting include: 12 hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal. 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: your circulation improves and your lung function increases. A year after quitting, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's. There are plenty of resources and tips at the Great American Smokeout page- you can get to it on our links page at KBND.com