Top 5 Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Across the globe, the decision to quit smoking is one that many individuals face daily. The implications of this choice are vast and far-reaching. If you're contemplating this significant lifestyle change, you're in the right place. This article will shed light on the top 5 undeniable benefits of giving up cigarettes, offering insights that could well be the catalyst for change.

Key Takeaways

Quitting smoking dramatically reduces health risks:

Stopping smoking lowers your chances of serious diseases like heart disease, lung cancer, and strokes. It also protects others from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

Improves both physical and mental well-being:

When you quit smoking, your breathing improves, energy levels rise, and your senses of taste and smell get better. It can also help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress over time.

Quitting saves you money:

Giving up smoking can save you a significant amount of money—up to £1,200 a year if you smoke a pack a day. Plus, various over-the-counter and prescription treatments are available to help you quit.

What are the benefits of one month of no smoking?

Are you interesting in knowing how quitting smoking for the long term can boost your health? If so, take a look at our guide to the benefits of one smoke free month.

Should I quit smoking?

Deciding whether to quit smoking is a deeply personal decision. However, there's a wealth of evidence highlighting the health benefits of doing so. While the decision is ultimately yours, the evidence leans heavily towards the benefits of quitting.

Here are the top 5 benefits of quitting smoking as soon as possible. 

1 - Reducing the Risk of Serious Health Conditions

Does quitting smoking reduce the risk of serious health issues?

Absolutely, quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of encountering numerous serious health issues. Here are some of the health conditions that smoking can cause:

• Strokes: Smoking is a major risk factor for strokes. Quitting has profound health benefits and significantly reduces this risk (Shah & Cole, 2010).  

• Heart Disease: Smoking is indisputably one of the primary risk factors for heart disease. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, quitting smoking lowers your risk of getting, and dying from, heart disease.

• Respiratory Disease: Smoking is a leading cause of various respiratory diseases. Quitting smoking is effective at reducing the risk of respiratory diseases such as COPD (Wu & Sin, 2011). 

• Vascular Disease: Smoking is a significant risk factor for vascular diseases, which are disorders that affect the circulatory system. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, quitting smoking can lower the risk of vascular conditions such as atherosclerosis and blood clots. 

• Different Cancers: Smoking is a primary cause of several types of cancer. The harmful chemicals and toxins in tobacco smoke can damage DNA and cellular structures, leading to mutations that can initiate cancer development. Quitting smoking can lower the risk of certain cancers (Choi et al, 2017). In a 2002 study, it was found people who quit smoking cut their risk of lung cancer by 30% to 50% after 10 years compared to people who kept smoking, and they cut their risk of cancer of the mouth or oesophagus in half within 5 years after quitting. 

2 - Reducing Second-hand Smoke Risk

Does quitting smoking reduce the risk of second-hand smoke-related health issues for other people?

Yes, when an individual quits smoking, they eliminate the source of second-hand smoke, thereby reducing the associated health risks for others around them. Second-hand smoke, often referred to as passive smoke or environmental tobacco smoke, consists of the smoke that smokers exhale combined with the smoke emitted from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe (Wynne & Bonevski, 2018). People who are commonly affected by secondhand smoke include:

• Adults in close proximity.

• Children who live with smokers or are around smokers. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke.

• Pregnant women. Second-hand smoke can cause low birth weight and developmental issues for babies. 

3 - Improving Physical Health

Will quitting smoking improve your physical health?

Yes, quitting smoking has a profound and positive impact on physical health. Here are some ways that quitting smoking can improve your physical health:

• Taste and Smell: Smoking can indeed affect both your sense of taste and smell. Quitting smoking can lead to significant improvements in both your sense of taste and smell (Da Ré et al, 2017).

• Improved Breathing: Smoking can significantly affect breathing. When you quit smoking, your lungs will improve and so will your breathing.

• Improved Energy Levels: Smoking can have a considerable impact on energy levels. Quitting smoking can lead to improvements in stamina, sleep quality, and overall energy, enhancing the quality of daily life. 

4 - Improve Mental Health

Will quitting smoking improve your mental health?

Quitting smoking can have both immediate and long-term effects on mental health. It's a complex relationship, and the effects can vary from person to person. In a 2014 study, it was observed that anxiety, depression, mixed anxiety, depression, and stress significantly decreased in people who quit smoking (Taylor et al, 2020). 

It should be noted that whilst some people's mental health will be improved due to quitting smoking, others may require additional support. If someone has a pre-existing mental health condition, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional when considering quitting smoking. They can provide guidance and resources to manage potential challenges effectively.

5 - Saving Money

Will quitting smoking save you money?

Yes, quitting smoking can lead to significant financial savings. To put it into perspective, the NHS has an online calculator that can work out how much money you can save if you decide to quit smoking. In general, it is thought that someone who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day will save up to $1,500 (£1,200) per year if they quit smoking (Toll et al, 2014). The financial element is in fact one of the most common reasons why people may choose to quit smoking (Sindelar & O’Malley, 2013). 

What over-the-counter (OTC) treatments are available for quitting smoking?

Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments are available to assist individuals in their journey to quit smoking. These treatments primarily focus on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which provides a controlled and reduced dose of nicotine to ease withdrawal symptoms without the harmful effects of smoking. You can purchase over-the-counter treatments for quitting smoking online from UK Meds, including:

• Nicotinell Mint 2mg Medicated Lozenges

• Niquitin Clear Pre-Quit

• Nicorette Quickmist Mouthspray

• Niquitin Minis Mint Lozenges

• Niquitin Clear Patch

• Nicorette Invisipatch

• Nicorette Inhalator

• Nicorette Nasal Spray

• Nicotinell Mint 2mg Medicated Chewing Gum

Is prescription medication an option for quitting smoking?

Yes, prescription medication is indeed an option for those looking to quit smoking, and these medications have proven effective for many individuals. One of the most popular prescription medications for quitting smoking is Zyban. Zyban, which contains the active ingredient bupropion, is an atypical antidepressant that can help reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms (Richmond & Zwar, 2003). 

Should I speak with a doctor before taking prescription medication treatment for quitting smoking?

In some cases, you may need to speak to your doctor before you begin taking prescription medication to help you quit smoking. However, when you purchase Zyban online from UK Meds, you do not need to visit your doctor beforehand. Simply complete our free online consultation to determine whether or not the medication is right for you.

Can I get treatments to quit smoking at UK Meds?

Yes, as previously mentioned you can purchase both prescription and over-the-counter treatments for quitting smoking online from UK Meds.

Medically Reviewed by:
Dr. Alexis Missick MBChB. MRCGP
GMC reference no: 7151419
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Website

Sources

• Benefits of Stopping Smoking (NHS Inform)

• Benefits of Quitting Smoking (NHS)

• Benefits of Giving Up Smoking (Bupa)

• Benefits of Stopping Smoking (NICE - CKS)

• Stop Smoking Timeline (Niquitin)