Overview
Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your health. The sooner you quit, the sooner your body can start to heal. You’ll feel better and have more energy to be active with your family and friends.
Smoking hurts almost every part of the body.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States.
For example, smoking causes:
- Lung cancer and many other types of cancer
- Heart disease and stroke
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and other lung diseases
- Pregnancy problems
- Gum disease
- Vision loss
- Type 2 diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Learn more about how smoking affects different parts of the body.
Secondhand Smoke
Smoking hurts other people, too.
Secondhand smoke is a mix of the smoke that comes from your cigarette and the smoke that you breathe out. Secondhand smoke is dangerous and can cause health problems for the people around you.
In babies and children, breathing in secondhand smoke can cause:
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Severe asthma attacks
- Ear infections
In adults, breathing in secondhand smoke can cause:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Lung cancer
How Can I Quit?
You can quit smoking.
Quitting smoking is hard, but millions of people have done it successfully. In fact, more than half of Americans who ever smoked have quit. You could be one of them!
Nicotine — the drug found in all tobacco products — is as addictive as heroin or cocaine. It’s the nicotine in cigarettes that causes cravings, or the strong feeling that you want to smoke. Remember — quitting isn’t easy, but it is possible!
Take these steps to help you quit:
- Make a list of the reasons you want to quit
- Set a quit date and make a plan to deal with cravings
- Ask your family, friends, and coworkers for support
- Talk to your doctor about counseling and medicines that can help you quit
- Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit Smokefree.gov
for free help - Download these free apps for 24/7 support and encouragement
- Text QUIT to 47848 or visit SmokefreeTXT to get daily texts to support you in quitting smoking
Find out more about steps you can take as you get ready to quit smoking.
Health Benefits
You'll feel better after you quit.
Your body begins to heal as soon as you quit smoking. Here are some ways you’ll feel better:
- You’ll breathe more easily
- You’ll cough and wheeze less
- Your senses of taste and smell will improve
- You’ll have more energy
- Your lungs will become stronger, making it easier for you to be active
Find out more about how quitting smoking will help your health.
Quitting smoking will help you live a longer, healthier life.
After you quit smoking:
- Your risk of having a heart attack or stroke goes down
- Your risk of getting cancer goes down
- The levels of oxygen and carbon monoxide in your blood return to normal
If you have children, you can also help them be healthier by quitting smoking. Children whose parents smoke around them are at higher risk for lung and ear infections.
Check out these real stories of people living with serious health effects from smoking.
Weight Control
Will quitting make me gain weight?
Some people worry about gaining weight when they quit smoking. It’s true that some people gain weight after quitting, but you can help prevent weight gain by making healthy choices. For example:
- Get active — aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like walking fast or dancing. Use this tool to get ideas for moving more.
- Eat healthy snacks, like vegetables or fruit. Get more tips for eating healthy.
- Talk with your doctor about ways to control your weight. Learn how to stay at a healthy weight.
To learn more ways to watch your weight after quitting, check out these tips.
