Smoking isn't just a bad habit it’s an addiction that threatens your life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking causes the death of 8 million people annually due to various chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. (1)
If you’re considering quitting smoking, you're making a courageous decision towards a healthier and better life. Read on to discover the incredible benefits of quitting smoking.
Your Body Starts Recovering Immediately: The Benefits of Quitting Smoking
After 20 minutes:
- Your heart rate and blood pressure begin to return to normal levels.
After 12 hours:
- The level of carbon monoxide in your blood drops to a normal range.
After 2 to 3 weeks:
- Your circulation improves, and your lungs function more efficiently, making it easier to breathe while reducing coughing and mucus buildup.
After 1 year:
- Your risk of heart disease decreases by half compared to a smoker.
After 5 to 10 years:
- Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box (larynx) is cut in half.
- The risk of stroke gradually decreases to levels similar to those of non-smokers.
After 10 years:
- Your risk of lung cancer is reduced by half.
- The likelihood of developing bladder, esophageal, and kidney cancers also declines.
After 15 to 20 years:
- The risk of coronary heart disease, as well as mouth and throat cancers, becomes similar to that of someone who has never smoked.
- The risk of pancreatic cancer also decreases. In fact, quitting smoking lowers your chances of developing 12 different types of cancer. (2)(3)
Quitting Smoking Adds Years to Your Life
People who quit smoking can add up to 10 years to their life expectancy compared to those who continue smoking.
The earlier you quit, the greater the health benefits. For example, quitting before the age of 40 can reduce the risk of smoking-related death by about 90%. However, quitting at any age can help you regain years of life that might otherwise be lost due to smoking. (2)
Immediate Benefits You Can Notice Right Away
Quitting smoking offers a range of immediate and long-term benefits: (4)
- Save money that was previously spent on buying tobacco products.
- Food tastes better, allowing you to enjoy your meals more.
- Your sense of smell improves, helping you appreciate different scents better.
- Fresher breath, hair, and clothes—no longer affected by the smell of smoke.
- Whiter teeth and nails, as they stop yellowing from nicotine.
- Daily activities become easier, such as climbing stairs or doing household chores, without feeling out of breath.
- Freedom to stay in smoke-free areas
- Protecting others—quitting smoking benefits not only you but also those around you by reducing their exposure to secondhand smoke.
Every Minute Without Smoking Benefits Your Health. Take the first step today and explore the available resources to help you quit smoking. Your health is worth it!
Every minute you stay away from smoking is a step toward better health. Start today and learn How to quit smoking! You can also get personalized plans and expert support at the Smoking Cessation Clinic in the Family Medicine Department to help you quit easily.
References
- WHO - More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco
- American Cancer Society - Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time
- CDC - Benefits of Quitting Smoking | Smoking and Tobacco Use
- NHS - Benefits of quitting smoking
