8 Reasons to Quit Smoking

When things get tough—and they will get tough when you're quitting smoking—reflect back on some of the reasons for kicking the habit in the first place.

When you're smoke-free:

1. You will save money since you won't be buying tobacco products. See the cost calculator.
2. You will not be in social isolation. You won't have to leave restaurants or movies for a quick smoke. People will want to be with you because you will smell better.
3. You will have a nicer smile. Smoking leads to cavities, gum disease and the failure of dental implants.
4. You will have a better sex life. Smoking affects circulation that in turn affects sexual health. Smoking has been linked to erectile dysfunction, lubrication problems, fertility issues and early onset of menopause.
5. Your smoking habit will no longer negatively affect those you love. There is no safe amount of cigarette smoke for you, your family, your friends or your pets. When you quit, not only do you protect yourself, but also those you love by no longer exposing them to second- or third-hand smoke, which can lead to health problems. In addition, smoking can affect brain development in unborn babies, children and adolescents. In pregnant women, smoking and exposure to it can contribute to multiple adverse outcomes such as preterm delivery and stillbirth.
6. You might dodge any number of illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, lung disease and autoimmune diseases. The risk of developing diabetes is 30-40% higher for active smokers than nonsmokers. The risk of lung cancer and lung diseases is greater among smokers, but so is the risk of autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and other cancers.
7. There's a good chance you will live longer and healthier. Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Quitting can help you add years to your life. People who quit smoking before 40 years of age cut their chances of dying prematurely from smoking-related diseases by a whopping 90%. In addition, people who quit in their mid-forties or fifties reduce their chance of dying prematurely from smoking-related causes by about two-thirds.
8. There are incredible rewards for quitting, almost immediately. Your body starts to heal within 20 minutes of your last cigarette. In fact, within:
   • 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
   • 12 hours, the carbon monoxide in your blood stream reduces to normal levels.
   • 2 weeks–3 months, your circulation and lung function improve, and your heart attack risk begins to decrease.
   • 1–9 months, you will cough less and breathe easier.
   • 1 year, your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half.
   • 2–5 years, your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder is cut in half. In addition, your risk of stroke is now the same as someone who doesn't smoke.
   • 10 years, you're only half as likely to die from lung cancer, and your risk of kidney and pancreatic cancer decreases.
   • 15 years, your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker.

If you or someone you care about wants to quit smoking, health care providers at the In-Store Clinics and MDLive are on hand to support you in your plans to be tobacco-free from cigarettes or other forms of tobacco. There are additional educational materials available in the Walgreens Answer Centers on walgreens.com to support you as well.

Published on October 28, 2019

Sources:

"Reasons to quit," Smokefree.gov. Web. 6 June 2019. https://smokefree.gov/quit-smoking/why-you-should-quit/reasons-to-quit

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The health consequences of smoking - 50 years of progress: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; 2014.