Tobacco Cessation
Why Quitting Tobacco Matters
Quitting tobacco is one of the most powerful steps you can take to improve your health—at any age. The benefits start almost immediately and continue to grow over time.
Health Benefits Timeline
- 20 minutes: Heart rate and blood pressure drop.
- 12 hours: Carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal.
- 2 weeks to 3 months: Lung function improves; circulation increases.
- 1 year: Risk of heart disease is cut in half.
- 5 years: Stroke risk falls to nearly that of a non-smoker.
- 10 years: Risk of lung cancer is about half that of a smoker.
Other Reasons to Quit
- Save money every week and year.
- Protect family and friends from secondhand smoke.
- Improve sense of taste and smell.
- Gain more energy and better breathing.
Key Takeaway:
It’s never too late to quit. The body begins to heal within minutes.