Many people know about the negative effects of smoking--heart disease, cancer and shortened life span. Perhaps what people really need to give their attention to are the benefits that accompany quitting; the pros that virtually breathe new life into those who choose to quit.
Quantity of Life
It does not matter how long you have smoked, or how old you are when you make the decision to quit; kicking the habit can help increase the number of years you live and improve the quality of those years. Those who quit prior to the age of 50 decrease their risk of dying within the next 15 years by half, according to the American Cancer Society. This is in comparison to those who continue smoking.
ACS further explains that those who quit also have an improved quality of life. They suffer from fewer bouts of colds and flus and have decreased episodes of pneumonia and bronchitis.
Improved Lung Function
You may notice an improvement in your lung function almost immediately, depending on how much and how long you have smoked. Your lung function begins to improve as soon as two weeks after smoking your last cigarette, continuing to improve for up to three months, according to The American Cancer Society.
Within one to nine months, any coughing or shortness of breath you may experience begins to decrease, as the tiny hair-like structures in your lungs responsible for moving mucus from the lungs are able to perform their job properly again.
Reduced Risk of Cancer
Many people realize that smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer. However, the American Cancer Society states it may also increase the risk of mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, cervix and stomach cancer. As the American Cancer Society explains, once you are a nonsmoker for 10 years, your risk of suffering a death due to lung cancer is half that of those who continue smoking. You also have a decreased risk of developing other cancers.
Cardivascular Benefits
Smoking does not just affect your lungs, or cause cancer, it also contributes to heart attacks, strokes and blood vessel diseases, according to the American Cancer Society. These risks are reduced over time once you quit.
Within 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure begin to drop, reducing the amount of work your heart has to do.
One year after quitting, your risk of suffering from coronary artery disease is half that of a smoker's. Once you have made it without smoking for 15 years, your risk is the same of those who do not smoke.
As for suffering from a stroke, your risk is the same as a nonsmoker's within five to 15 years.
Smoking and Pregnancy
Women who smoke prior to becoming pregnant may find it difficult to quit at the drop of a dime. The Surgeon General explains that women who are able to quit during the first three or four months have the same risk of giving birth to a low birth-weight baby as women who never smoked at all.
