Benefits
Think of all the reasons you have to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Do they revolve around your health? Your financial situation? Your social life or family ties?
Health Benefits
- Lower risk of lung, mouth and other types of cancer.
- Reduced risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Coronary heart disease risk is substantially reduced within one to two years of quitting.
- Reduced respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. The rate of decline in lung function is slower among persons who quit smoking.
- Reduced risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
- Reduced risk of infertility in women during their reproductive years. Women who stop smoking during pregnancy also reduce their risk of having a baby with low birth weight.
- Increase the effectiveness of medications you may be taking.
- You’re at increased risk for pneumococcal disease if you smoke. Quit smoking to reduce your risk. Visit the DSHS Pneumococcal Disease webpage for more information.
Physical Benefits
- Feel better.
- Look better with whiter teeth and fewer wrinkles.
- Perform better at exercise and daily activities.
- Improve your sense of smell and taste.
- Add years to your life.
- Increase the effectiveness of medications you may be taking.
Psychological Benefits
- Increase your chances of quitting other addictions, such as drug or alcohol abuse.
- Improve your mood and reduce anxiety symptoms.
Financial Benefits
- Save money normally spent on cigarettes or dip.
- Save on healthcare and insurance costs in the long run.
Social Benefits
- Better-smelling clothes, car, house and breath, make you more attractive to others.
- Reclaim your time at work or in social settings when you would normally step out for a smoke or dip break.
- Stop worrying about tobacco’s impact on your health.
- Look better and gain confidence when tackling challenges. Cigarettes can be used as an unnecessary social crutch.
Benefits to Family and Loved Ones
- Set a better, healthier example for your children and other loved ones.
- Eliminate the harm and irritation caused by secondhand smoke.
- Improve your chances of having healthier babies.
- Live longer and enjoy your life more.
last updated March 5, 2024