Smoking causes 90 percent of all lung cancers in men and 80 percent of all lung cancers in women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC reports that 70 percent of United States adult smokers want to quit completely. Nicotine is a psychoactive drug that makes smokers dependent. Quitting requires multiple attempts and smokers often go through withdrawal symptoms. According to the CDC, people who quit smoking have immediate health benefits and greatly reduce their risk of disease and premature death.
Cleaner Mouth
Once a person quits smoking, his teeth become whiter and his breath smells better, according to the American Cancer Society. Nicotine and tar stain the teeth and make the teeth yellow. After many years of smoking, a smoker's teeth can become brown. According to the Mayo Clinic, tobacco products dry out the mouth leaving a bad odor. People who smoke are also more prone to periodontal diseases which can also cause bad breath. The National Cancer Institute reports that smokers have an increased risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat.
Senses Improve
Nicotine deadens the taste buds of a smoker so food does not taste as good, according to the American Cancer Society. Since food doesn't taste good, many smokers lose weight. Smoking also kills the membranes in the olfactory system which results in a loss of smell.
Enjoying Activities
After just 20 minutes of putting down that last cigarette, a person's heart rate and blood pressure decrease, according to the American Cancer Society. This makes doing everyday activities like climbing the stairs or playing with your kids that much easier. Twelve hours after quitting smoking, a person's carbon monoxide level goes back to normal. A smoker has a carbon monoxide that is about 10 times higher than a nonsmoker, according to Healthline.com. The more carbon monoxide is in the blood, the harder a person's heart has to work, making everyday activities strenuous and increasing the chance of a heart attack. According to the American Lung Association, in just two weeks to three months after quitting smoking, a person's chance of having a heart attack begins to drop and lung function begins to improve.
