A 2018 study using a large cohort of more than 6,000 patients with chronic conditions found that quitting smoking reduces the risk of developing a chronic condition by 50 to 75 percent.
The study followed the patients for up to 10 years to see if their risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and depression decreased.
The study found that people who quit smoking had a 70 percent lower risk of chronic conditions than people who continued to smoke.
The study found that quitting smoking also halved the risk of death.
The researchers concluded that quitting smoking can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.
The study also found that the risk of death dropped by as much as 50 percent for smokers who had quit smoking in the study. This means that the risk of death was 35 percent lower for smokers who quit.
Stopping smoking also reduced the risk of premature death in smokers with other chronic conditions. People who stopped smoking had a 40 percent lower risk of premature death.
The study also found that people who stopped smoking had a 27 percent lower risk of death from all causes and a 33 percent lower risk of death from cancer.
Tobacco companies deny the health benefits of quitting smoking
The American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society argue that smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer and other chronic diseases.
The American Lung Association says that the connection between smoking and cancer is “quite clear.” The group also argues that smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of disease in the world.
The American Cancer Society says that “smoking is the single biggest preventable cause of cancer in the United States.”
In fact, a 2018 study found that the risk of lung cancer is almost as high in people who smoke as it is in people who drink alcohol.
The American Lung Association and American Cancer Society also point out that smoking is a significant risk factor for other chronic diseases, including:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Cataracts
- Depression
- Obesity
- Emphysema
- Sleep apnea
A 2014 study of more than 80,000 people in the United States and United Kingdom found that those who smoked also were more likely to engage in other, unhealthy behaviors, such as:
- Heavy alcohol use
- Excessive use of caffeine
- Excessive use of red meat
- Excessive use of processed meats
- High intake of refined sugars
- Low intake of fruits and vegetables
- Consuming more than 7.5 cups of coffee or tea per day
The study also found that people who smoked were more likely to smoke in front of children.
People who smoke are also more likely than nonsmokers to suffer from the following conditions:
- Bronchitis
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chest colds
- Lung cancer
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pneumonia
- Sinusitis
Doctors also report that smoking is associated with other serious health conditions, including:
- Skin cancer
- Cancers of the pancreas
- Heart attack
- Thyroid cancer
- Cancer of the mouth, throat, and tongue
- Cancers of the brain and spinal cord
- Cancer of the bladder
- Cancers of the kidney and urinary tract
Are there benefits to quitting?
Quitting smoking may improve your health in several ways.
You may find that you’re less likely to become a smoker.
Smoking is a habit, and quitting smoking is a process. It’s not a one-time thing. It takes time to build the skills and habits that will help you maintain your quit.
Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases. It may also reduce your risk of death from these diseases.
Quitting smoking may help improve your overall health. You may find that you’re less likely to suffer from:
- Skin conditions, like warts and rashes
- Mouth and throat conditions
- Heart conditions
- Kidney conditions
- Arthritis
Quitting smoking may improve your ability to manage your health condition. For example, quitting smoking may help you:
- Increase your physical activity and overall health
- Reduce your stress
- Improve your ability to perform daily tasks
- Reduce the risk of heart disease
- Reduce the risk of lung disease
- Reduce the risk of certain types of cancers
Quitting smoking is also an option for people who are looking to stop smoking.
If you’ve tried to quit in the past but failed, quitting may be a good option for you.
Quitting smoking isn’t always easy. It may take some trial and error. If you smoke, you may need to make some lifestyle changes to avoid giving up on your plan.
If you want to quit smoking, talk to a doctor about your options.
The doctor can help you create a plan to quit. They can also discuss the potential benefits and risks of quitting.
