Tobacco use remains one of the world’s deadliest health challenges, claiming more than 8 million lives each year according to medical experts.
Put simply, any amount of tobacco is dangerous to health – whether through smoking, chewing, or being exposed to secondhand smoke.
Beyond the devastating human cost, tobacco also creates enormous financial burdens on society. Countries spend massive amounts of money treating tobacco-related illnesses like cancer and heart disease. Additionally, when people become sick or die from tobacco use, their communities lose their skills, knowledge, and contributions to the workforce and society. This combination of medical costs and lost potential takes a heavy toll on economies worldwide.
Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take toward a longer, healthier life, and the benefits begin the very day you stop.
Beyond saving money, your body starts healing in numerous ways. Your risk drops significantly for many serious health conditions, including various types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, circulatory problems, and lung diseases.
Smoking affects your body’s ability to heal itself – even recovering from broken bones or muscle injuries takes longer when you smoke. It also damages your eyesight and weakens your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections like flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19. When smokers catch these illnesses, they often experience more severe symptoms.
By quitting smoking, you can add years to your life and improve your quality of living. As your body recovers, you’ll find yourself breathing easier and having more energy for physical activities. This increased ability to stay active not only improves your physical health but also boosts your mental wellbeing, helping you enjoy life to its fullest.
Once you stop smoking, your body starts to repair itself
Within days you’ll experience:
- A drop in heart rate
- Carbon monoxide and oxygen levels in blood return to normal (similar to those who’ve never smoked)
- Your sense of taste and smell improving
Within weeks you’ll benefit from:
- A reduction in the risk of sudden death from a heart attack
- Improvement in lung function
- Less coughing and shortness of breath
- Fewer severe asthma attacks
Within a few months you’ll experience:
- An improvement in symptoms of chronic bronchitis (phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath)
- Less risk of ulcers
Benefits within a year of having quit smoking include:
- Risks of coronary heart disease (CHD) cut by half
- Improved respiratory symptoms among people with mild to moderate COPD
- As well as the benefits to your health, there are many other good reasons to stop smoking
Find out more about the health benefits of quitting smoking over time: nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking
Preventing Harm to Others
When you quit smoking, you’re not just improving your own health – you’re protecting the wellbeing of everyone around you. Secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoking, can seriously harm your friends and family, with children being especially vulnerable. By quitting, you eliminate this risk entirely.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke face several serious health risks, including sudden and unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), frequent respiratory infections and chest illnesses, decreased lung function, and ear infections. They’re also more likely to experience asthma attacks, which can be frightening and dangerous.
Your decision to quit has another powerful long-term effect: children who grow up in smoke-free homes are less likely to become smokers themselves, breaking the cycle for the next generation.
For expectant mothers, quitting smoking significantly reduces health risks during pregnancy, giving their babies the best possible start in life.
Read more about smoking and pregnancy
Local Stop Smoking Services are Free, Friendly and Can Massively Boost your Chances of Quitting for Good
These services staffed by expert advisers provide a range of proven methods to help you quit.
In England
- Find stop smoking services in England
- Call the free Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044
In Scotland
- Find stop smoking services in Scotland
- Call the free Quit Your Way Scotland helpline on 0800 84 84 84
In Wales
- Find stop smoking services in Wales
- Call the free Help Me Quit helpline on 0800 085 2219
In Northern Ireland
- Find stop smoking services in Northern Ireland
- Call a provider in the town or city where you live (telephone numbers can be found on the Stop Smoking NI website)
