Smoking Cessation refers to the process of quitting the use of tobacco products, primarily cigarettes. It is an important step for improving overall health, as smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and many other conditions.
Health benefits of quitting smoking
- Immediate improvements: cardiovascular measures begin to normalize within minutes to hours after the last cigarette (heart rate and blood pressure improve; carbon monoxide levels fall), and oxygen delivery to tissues increases soon after quitting.
- Short-term gains (days–months): taste and smell often improve, breathing and exercise tolerance get better, coughing and shortness of breath typically decrease and energy levels often rise.
- Lower risk of heart disease and stroke: quitting significantly reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular events — benefits begin quickly and continue to grow the longer someone remains smoke-free.
- Reduced cancer risk over time: stopping smoking lowers the risk of lung cancer and many other cancers (risk declines progressively after quitting, though some long-term risk remains compared with never-smokers).
- Less chance of chronic lung disease progression: quitting reduces the risk and slows progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improves lung function compared with continued smoking.
- Longer life expectancy and better quality of life: quitting reduces overall mortality and can add many years of healthy life; benefits accrue the earlier a person quits.
Ultimately, smoking cessation is a powerful step toward a healthier, longer and more fulfilling life.
