If you smoke, you’re likely aware already that quitting is good for your health. But understanding exactly what happens when you stop can provide some extra motivation. In fact, there are many reasons to quit smoking, from lowering your risk of cancer and heart disease to breathing easier and protecting the people around you.
The benefits can start within minutes of your last cigarette, and quitting can improve your health regardless of your age or how long you’ve smoked.
If you’re thinking about quitting, make an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss a plan that works for you and what resources may be available. Depending on where you live, Mercy Health also offers tobacco treatment resources and programs that can provide additional support.
Why is smoking bad for your health?
Cigarette smoking affects nearly every organ in your body. It increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer and other serious health problems. Smoking can also negatively affect reproductive health and increase the risk of premature death.
Secondhand smoke can harm the people around you, too. Quitting is the best way to protect family members, friends and others from the health risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure.
What are the biggest reasons to quit smoking?
Regardless of which tobacco products you use, plenty of reasons exist to validate the decision to quit smoking.
Some of the most important reasons to quit smoking include:
- Lowering your cancer risk: Over time, quitting reduces the risk of lung cancer as well as cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, kidney and bladder.
- Protecting your heart: Quitting reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke.
- Improving your breathing: Lung function improves, coughing and shortness of breath decrease after quitting and stopping smoking benefits people who already have COPD.
- Living longer: Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of premature death and may add as much as 10 years to life expectancy.
- Protecting others: A smoke-free environment reduces other people’s exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Saving money: Giving up cigarettes eliminates an ongoing expense while reducing the broader financial burden associated with smoking.
It’s never too late to quit and enjoy the health benefits of a smoke-free life. While quitting earlier provides greater health benefits, stopping at any age can improve your health.
What happens to your body when you quit smoking?
Both short- and long-term health benefits of quitting smoking exist for tobacco users. Your body begins recovering surprisingly quickly after your last cigarette and improvements continue for years after.
Here’s a general timeline:
- Within 20 minutes: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
- After 24 hours: The nicotine level in your blood drops to zero.
- Within several days: Carbon monoxide in your blood falls to the level of someone who doesn’t smoke.
- Within one to 12 months: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
- Within one to two years: Your risk of heart attack drops sharply.
- Within five to 10 years: Your added risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and voice box is cut in half, and your stroke risk decreases.
- After 10 to 15 years: Your added risk of lung cancer drops by half.
- After 15 years: Your risk of coronary heart disease approaches that of someone who doesn’t smoke.
What are the best ways to quit smoking?
Nicotine is an addictive substance, so quitting can be difficult. But you don’t have to depend on willpower alone – proven treatments can make quitting more manageable.
A combination of counseling and medication often gives people the best chance of quitting for good.
Options include:
- Counseling: Individual or group counseling during smoking cessation programs can help you identify triggers, manage stress and develop strategies for cravings.
- Nicotine replacement therapy: Over-the-counter options include nicotine patches, gum and lozenges. Prescription nicotine inhalers and nasal sprays are also available.
- Prescription medication: Varenicline and bupropion SR may help some adults quit.
- Combination therapy: Using a nicotine patch with a short-acting option such as nicotine gum or a lozenge can increase the chances of successfully quitting compared with one form of nicotine replacement therapy alone.
- Quitline support: Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free, confidential coaching.
Talk with your primary care provider before deciding which approach is right for you, particularly if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or younger than 18.
How we can help
Most people struggle to quit smoking, but you don’t have to do it alone. Every day smoke-free improves your health and lowers your chances of developing serious and potentially deadly health conditions.
If you live near our Youngstown market, one option may be Mercy Health’s Time to Quit tobacco cessation program. Make an appointment with your primary care provider about quitting and to discuss treatment options that may be right for you.
Learn about the primary care services we offer at Mercy Health.
