Top 6 Smoking Cessation Benefits To Heal You Inside Out!

Hello readers! You might have seen the powerful anti-tobacco ad featuring Mukesh, the 25-year-old guy who died of cancer. Yes, the one that made us all sit up and take notice? Well, sadly, stories like Mukesh's are becoming all too common, especially in India.  Every day, dozens of people like him, irrespective of gender, are involved in smoking and losing their lives to tobacco-related illnesses.

You will be shocked to know that every year around 8 million people die due to smoking and tobacco. The smoke from cigarettes can cause cancer to your internal organs like the lungs and heart. Quitting smoking is the only option if you seriously want to save your and your loved one’s life. You may deny this as usual, but after knowing the smoking cessation benefits, I am sure you will take a good step for you and your family. So, continue reading to learn the benefits of quitting smoking!

Key Highlights 

• Over 1 million people die every year from exposure to second-hand smoke.

• Cigarettes remain a significant cause of accidental fires and resulting deaths.

• In 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure decrease.

• Within 12 hours, your blood's carbon monoxide (CO) level drops to normal.

• Your circulation and lung function improve after 2-12 weeks of quitting smoking.

Table of Contents 

1. Top 6 Smoking Cessation Benefits 

2. Why Should You Stop Smoking Immediately?

3. The Final Say

4. FAQs

5. References

Top 6 Smoking Cessation Benefits 

What are the benefits of quitting smoking? As we all know, smoking is injurious to health and well-being, and ceasing it immediately can help you a lot. So, here are the top reasons that make you realise to stop smoking and live a healthy life:

1. Reduces The Chances Of Respiratory Disease

One of the best and foremost smoking cessation benefits is it reduces the chances of severe respiratory disorders. If you're a smoker, quitting could be one of the best things you can do to reduce the risk of respiratory diseases. It could help lower the chances of getting COPD or even slow down its progression if you already have it. 

Quitting smoking could also help reduce respiratory symptoms like coughing and wheezing and lower the risk of respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. Those with asthma might also see an improvement in lung function, symptoms and treatment outcomes.

Also Read: Lungs Detox: What Food Cleanses Your Lungs?

2. Improves Your Cardiovascular Health 

If you smoke, quitting can be one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease. It has several benefits, including reducing inflammation and blood clotting, improving cholesterol levels, and slowing down the progression of artery blockages. 

Quitting smoking can also lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other conditions like aneurysms and peripheral arterial disease. Even if you've already been diagnosed with heart disease, quitting smoking can still help reduce your risk of premature death and further heart attacks.

Also Read: Cardiovascular Health And Obesity: Understanding The Risks

3. Reduces Risk Of Developing Cancer 

Smoking is the major reason behind lung cancer. Not only this, it also triggers different types of cancer like lung, bladder, colon and rectum, oesophagus, kidney, liver, mouth and throat, pancreas, stomach, and voice box. It even increases the chances of getting acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and cervical cancer. 

And if you are a cancer survivor, quitting smoking may improve your prognosis and reduce your risk of premature death. So if you are a smoker, consider quitting today to protect your health and reduce your risk of cancer.

Also Read: Diet For Cancer Patients: Nutrition, Foods & Tips

4. Improves Your Physical Health

When you smoke a cigarette, your body is exposed to thousands of harmful chemicals. But the good news is that once you quit, your body eliminates these toxins and starts repairing the damage. 

You will experience benefits within days or weeks, such as improved senses of taste and smell, easier breathing, and increased energy. Over time, you will also enjoy improved blood circulation to your heart and muscles, making physical activity easier and better lung function, leading to fewer breathing problems.

Also Read: Explore 7 Major E-Cigs' Side Effects On The Body!

5.  Reduces the Risk Of Chronic Diseases

When you quit smoking, your body starts to heal itself. In the long run, you can reduce your risk of cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and stroke. Not only that, but quitting smoking can also lower your risk of heart attacks, lung cancer, and other serious illnesses. 

After a year of quitting, your risk of heart attack is cut in half compared to a smoker's. Within 10 years, your risk of death from lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker. 

After 15 years, your risk of heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked. Quitting smoking can also reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, bone disease, eye disease, and dementia.

6. Improves Your Mental Health

Do you smoke to help you cope with stress and anxiety? It may seem like smoking is helping you relax and deal with life's difficulties, but in reality, it's doing the opposite. Quitting smoking can improve your mental health and overall well-being. 

Studies have shown that people who quit smoking experience less anxiety, depression, and stress and have an increased positive mood compared to those who continue to smoke. So, if you're looking to improve your mental health, quitting smoking could be a great step forward.

Also Read: Mental Wellness More Important Than Physical Wellness

Take note of this smoking cessation benefits timeline: 

Why Should You Stop Smoking Immediately?

Do you really think that smoking is good for health or it reduces stress levels? Just Wake up! As it is totally a myth and harmful to your overall health. Here is a list of reasons that point to quitting smoking ASAP:

Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and cancer-causing. This complex mixture includes:

• Tar: A sticky, brown substance containing carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).

• Nicotine: The addictive substance in tobacco that causes the user to crave cigarettes.

• Carbon Monoxide: A gas that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the body's cells.

• Formaldehyde: A known carcinogen also used in embalming fluids.

• Arsenic: A poisonous heavy metal.

• Benzene: A chemical found in gasoline and known to cause cancer.

The Final Say

After reading about the smoking cessation benefits, most of you will achieve good health. As soon as you quit smoking, your heart rate and blood pressure drop and over time, it can also improve lung function, reduce the risk of various types of cancer, and improve skin health. 

In addition, quitting can lead to many other benefits, such as increased energy levels, improved dental health, and reduced bad breath. Don't hesitate to take the first step towards a healthier, smoke-free life. Use the resources provided in this blog to help you quit smoking for good.

FAQs

1. What are the benefits of quitting smoking?

Some well-known smoking cessation benefits include:

• It reduces the risk of premature death.

• It improves health status and enhances the quality of life.

• It drops the carbon monoxide level in your blood to normal.

• It improves blood circulation.

• It enhances your lung function.

• It reduces the risk of developing lung or mouth cancer.

  
  

2. What is the goal of smoking cessation?

The main aim of smoking quit benefits is to prevent the risk of severe disorders like cancers, heart diseases and conditions like premature death.

3. What happens after you stop smoking?

Well, cigarettes contain harmful ingredients like nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, arsenic and more that can damage the normal function of the lungs and heart. When you stop smoking, you actually prevent the risk of disorders caused by these toxic materials. 

4. What is the most successful smoking cessation method?

There are various smoking cessation methods you can try as per your choice and comfort:

• Nicotine Replacement

• Varenicline (Chantix)

• Bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin SR)

  
  

5. What are the benefits of quitting smoking on the skin?

Some of the benefits of quitting smoking are: 

• It helps the skin restore collagen.

• It makes skin look more healthy and fresh.

• It shallow or dynamic, wrinkles start repairing themselves.

  
  

6. What are the cardiovascular benefits of smoking cessation?

Smoking cessation cardiovascular benefits include:

• It reduces the risk of heart attacks.

• It also reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

References 

• Benefits of Quitting | Smoking and Tobacco Use | CDC

• Tobacco: Health benefits of smoking cessation 

• Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time | American Cancer Society 

• More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco - PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization 

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