Epidemiology of Cessation

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CHAPTER 3 . Impacts of Smoking

Epidemiology of Cessation

Benefits of Smoking Cessation 

Quitting smoking reduces the relative risk of numerous smoking-related diseases and increases life expectancy for former adult smokers.

In a 2020 report by the U.S. Surgeon General, it was concluded that there was sufficient evidence to infer that smoking cessation reduces the relative risk of numerous cancers including lung, oral, oesophageal, liver, stomach, pancreatic, kidney, bladder, colorectal, cervical, and acute myeloid leukaemia.[1]

Smoking cessation also improves cardiovascular outcomes. Levels of highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, sometimes called ‘good’ cholesterol) rapidly improve. Additionally, risks associated with disease and death from cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and stroke are reduced over time when compared with those who continue to smoke.

For adult smokers already diagnosed with coronary heart disease, quitting smoking can reduce the risk of premature death, death from heart disease, and the risk of having a first or another heart attack. [1]

Hand gesturing to refuse a cigarette

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Inclusive of cardiovascular benefits, stopping smoking can afford respiratory health benefits. The relative risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is reduced, and for adult smokers already diagnosed with COPD, its progression and the rate of loss of lung function is reduced. Other respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, phlegm production, wheezing) and infections (e.g. bronchitis, pneumonia) are also reduced. Lung function for adult smokers who quit can improve as early as two weeks after smoking cessation.[1]

 

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, some of the benefits occur almost immediately after quitting, while some accumulate with time. For example, a few days after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in a person’s blood drops to normal. Fifteen years after quitting, a person’s risk of coronary heart disease is close to that of a non-smoker.[1]

"Although the benefits of quitting are greater the earlier in life that an individual quits [...]. Even persons who have smoked for many years or who have smoked heavily can realize health and financial benefits from quitting smoking."

 

Robert R. Redfield, M.D.

Former Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018-2020)[1]

Life expectancy benefits in comparison with those who continue [2] 

A 50-year epidemiological study on male British doctors has shown the impact of quitting smoking at certain ages can gain years on a smoker’s life:

+ 10

years


Stop at 30

Gain up to 10 years

+ 9

years

 

Stop at 40

Gain up to 9 years

+ 6

years

 

Stop at 50

Gain up to 6 years

+ 3

years


Stop at 60

Gain up to 3 years

The Benefits of Smoking Cessation According to a Report by the Surgeon General[3]

20 minutes after quitting

Your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal

12-24 hours after quitting

The level of carbon monoxide in your blood drops to normal

2 weeks to 3 months

after quitting

Your circulation

improves, your lung

function increases and

your risk of having a

heart attack decreases

1 to 12 months

after quitting

Coughing and shortness

of breath decrease.

Tiny hair-like structures

(called cilia) that move

mucus out of the lungs

start to regain normal

function, increasing

their ability to handle

mucus, clean the lungs,

and reduce the risk of

infection

1 year after quitting

Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half of that of a smoker’s

5-15 years after quitting

Your risk of having a stroke is reduced to that of a non-smoker's, and your risk of getting cancer of the mouth, throat, or oesophagus is half that of a smoker’s

10 years after quitting

Your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a smoker’s. Your risk of getting cancer of the bladder, cervix, larynx, kidney or pancreas decreases

15 years after quitting

Your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as that of a

non-smoker

References

[1] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2020. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco-surgeon-general-reports/reports/2020-smoking-cessation/

[2] Doll R., et al., Mortality in relation to smoking: 50 years’ observations on male British doctors. Br Med J, 2004. 328:1519. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.38142.554479.AE

[3] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44695/

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