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Benefits of quitting tobacco

Secondhand smoke; Cigarette smoking - quitting; Tobacco cessation; Smoking and smokeless tobacco - quitting; Why you should quit smoking

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If you smoke, you should quit. But quitting can be hard. Most people who have quit smoking have tried at least once, and often several times, without long-term success in the past. View any past attempts to quit as a learning experience, not a failure.

There are many reasons to quit using tobacco. Long-term use of tobacco can increase your risk of many serious health problems.

THE BENEFITS OF QUITTING

You may enjoy the following when you quit smoking.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Some health benefits begin almost immediately. Every week, month, and year without tobacco further improves your health.

Other health benefits of quitting smoking include:

Infants and children who you live with will have:

MAKING THE DECISION

Like any addiction, quitting tobacco is difficult, especially if you do it alone. There are a lot of ways to quit smoking and many resources to help you. Talk to your health care provider about nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation medicines.

If you join smoking cessation programs, you have a much better chance of success. Such programs are offered by hospitals, health departments, community centers, and work sites.

References

American Cancer Society website. Health benefits of quitting smoking over time. www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/benefits-of-quitting-smoking-over-time.html. Updated November 10, 2020. Accessed November 30, 2023.

Brunetta PG, Kroon L. Smoking cessation. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 66.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Smoking cessation: fast facts. www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/smoking-cessation-fast-facts/index.html. Updated March 21, 2022. Accessed November 30, 2023.

George TP. Nicotine and tobacco. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 363.

Gotts JE, Benowitz NL. Smoking hazards: cigarettes, vaping, marijuana. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 65.

Patnode CD, O'Connor E, Whitlock EP, Perdue LA, Soh C, Hollis J. Primary care-relevant interventions for tobacco use prevention and cessation in children and adolescents: a systematic evidence review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2013;158(4):253-260. PMID: 23229625 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23229625/.

Prescott E. Lifestyle interventions. In: de Lemos JA, Omland T, eds. Chronic Coronary Artery Disease: A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 18.

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Review Date: 11/19/2023  

Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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