Epidemiology of Cessation
Benefits of Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking reduces the relative risk of numerous smoking-related diseases and increases life expectancy for former adult smokers.
In a 2020 report by the U.S. Surgeon General, it was concluded that there was sufficient evidence to infer that smoking cessation reduces the relative risk of numerous cancers including lung, oral, oesophageal, liver, stomach, pancreatic, kidney, bladder, colorectal, cervical, and acute myeloid leukaemia.[1]
Smoking cessation also improves cardiovascular outcomes. Levels of highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, sometimes called ‘good’ cholesterol) rapidly improve. Additionally, risks associated with disease and death from cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and stroke are reduced over time when compared with those who continue to smoke.
For adult smokers already diagnosed with coronary heart disease, quitting smoking can reduce the risk of premature death, death from heart disease, and the risk of having a first or another heart attack. [1]
Inclusive of cardiovascular benefits, stopping smoking can afford respiratory health benefits. The relative risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is reduced, and for adult smokers already diagnosed with COPD, its progression and the rate of loss of lung function is reduced. Other respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, phlegm production, wheezing) and infections (e.g. bronchitis, pneumonia) are also reduced. Lung function for adult smokers who quit can improve as early as two weeks after smoking cessation.[1]
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, some of the benefits occur almost immediately after quitting, while some accumulate with time. For example, a few days after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in a person’s blood drops to normal. Fifteen years after quitting, a person’s risk of coronary heart disease is close to that of a non-smoker.[1]
"Although the benefits of quitting are greater the earlier in life that an individual quits [...]. Even persons who have smoked for many years or who have smoked heavily can realize health and financial benefits from quitting smoking."
Robert R. Redfield, M.D.
Former Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018-2020)[1]
Life expectancy benefits in comparison with those who continue [2]
A 50-year epidemiological study on male British doctors has shown the impact of quitting smoking at certain ages can gain years on a smoker’s life:
+ 10
years
Stop at 30
Gain up to 10 years
+ 9
years
Stop at 40
Gain up to 9 years
+ 6
years
Stop at 50
Gain up to 6 years
+ 3
years
Stop at 60
Gain up to 3 years
The Benefits of Smoking Cessation According to a Report by the Surgeon General[3]
20 minutes after quitting
Your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal
12-24 hours after quitting
The level of carbon monoxide in your blood drops to normal
2 weeks to 3 months
after quitting
Your circulation
improves, your lung
function increases and
your risk of having a
heart attack decreases
1 to 12 months
after quitting
Coughing and shortness
of breath decrease.
Tiny hair-like structures
(called cilia) that move
mucus out of the lungs
start to regain normal
function, increasing
their ability to handle
mucus, clean the lungs,
and reduce the risk of
infection
1 year after quitting
Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half of that of a smoker’s
5-15 years after quitting
Your risk of having a stroke is reduced to that of a non-smoker's, and your risk of getting cancer of the mouth, throat, or oesophagus is half that of a smoker’s
10 years after quitting
Your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a smoker’s. Your risk of getting cancer of the bladder, cervix, larynx, kidney or pancreas decreases
15 years after quitting
Your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as that of a
non-smoker
References
