Smoking

Smoking harms almost every organ of the body, causing many diseases and affecting the health of smokers in general. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits for you and your loved ones.

Fast Facts

  • Smoking is responsible for about 1 out of 5 deaths in the U.S. - about 443,000 annually.
  • On average, smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than non-smokers.
  • For every person who dies of a smoking-related disease, 20 more suffer with at least one serious illness from smoking.
  • Annually, cigarette smoking costs more than $193 Billion in the U.S.
  • Almost 20% of U.S. adults are current cigarette smokers; and about 20% of high school students are current smokers.
  • Each day, about 1,100 people under 18 become regular smokers (smoking on a daily basis).

Timeline of Changes After You Quit

  • Immediately: The air around you is no longer dangerous to children and other adults.
  • 20 Minutes: Your blood pressure and pulse rate drop to normal and the temperature of your hands and feet increase to normal.
  • 8 Hours: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal and your oxygen level in your blood increases to normal. Your chance of heart attack is already decreasing.
  • 2 Days: Your nerve endings start regrowing and your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
  • 2 to 12 Weeks: Your circulation and breathing improve and walking becomes easier.
  • 1 to 9 Months: Coughing and sinus congestion decrease; shortness of breath decreases; overall energy increases; and your lungs increase their ability to self-clean and reduce infection. Your headaches and stomachaches caused by smoking start to disappear and your body is better able to fight infections.
  • 1 Year: Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
  • 5 Years: Risk of stroke is reduced to that of a non-smoker and risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker.
  • 10 Years: Your life expectancy is comparable to a non-smoker's; your lung cancer death rate is about half the rate of a smoker; your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decrease and your precancerous cells are replaced.
  • 15 Years: Your risk of coronary heart disease is comparable to that of a non-smoker.