According to The American Lung Association, an estimated 430,700 Americans die each year from smoke-related diseases. Most cases of chronic bronchitis and emphysema as well as 87 percent of lung cancer cases are due to smoking, and lost productivity and health care costs top $96 billion a year each in the United States. In 2006 an estimated 44 percent of smokers tried to quit smoking for at least a day, with varying results. The American Lung Association maintains a list of benefits from smoking cessation.
Immediate Benefits
About 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your pulse rate will drop and your blood pressure will decrease; the body temperature of your feet and hands will increase as your circulation improves. Within eight hours, your oxygen and carbon monoxide blood levels will have returned to normal. About 48 hours after you quit, your senses of taste and smell will begin to increase and your nerve endings will begin to regenerate.
First Year Benefits
As your circulation continues to improve within the first year after quitting, walking will become easier and your lung function will increase. Sinus congestion, coughing, fatigue and shortness of breath will all decrease. Your risk of heart disease will be reduced by half when you reach your one year anniversary of being smoke-free.
Long-Term Benefits
Between five and 10 years after you quit smoking, your risk of stroke is the same as if you never smoked. At the 10-year mark, you will have reduced the chance of developing cancer of the throat, mouth, esophagus, kidney, bladder and pancreas as well as cut the risk of ulcers. Your risk of developing lung cancer will be half of that of continuing smokers. Fifteen years after you quit, your chances of heart disease and risk of death will be close to that of those who have never smoked.
Benefits to Others
According to the American Cancer Society, secondhand smoke accounts for about 3,400 lung cancer deaths and an estimated 46,000 heart disease deaths each year in nonsmokers. It also causes irritation of the throat, eyes and nose of nonsmokers, and children exposed to secondhand smoke are more susceptible to bronchitis, pneumonia and other lung diseases.
