Stop Smoking

Reduce Your Chances of Returning to the Hospital

No matter how long you’ve been a smoker, it’s never too late to quit this unhealthy habit. The benefits start right away and last a lifetime:

• 20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
• 1 year after quitting, your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker.
  
• 2 to 5 years after quitting, your risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder cancers is cut in half, and your risk of stroke is the same as a nonsmoker's.
  
• 10 years after quitting, your risk of lung cancer is half that of a smoker.
  

Ready, Set, Quit!

If you’ve decided to quit, take it one day at a time. Remind yourself that you are in control — you can choose to smoke or not. Try using a quit app to track your habits, set goals, and provide motivation. Download an app from smokefree.gov or another trusted health organization.

Help Yourself Heal

Quitting smoking even 12 hours before surgery will help with healing. Smoking after surgery puts stress on your heart, raises your blood pressure, and reduces oxygen, which your blood and tissues need in order to recover.

E-Cigarettes & Smokeless Tobacco

These are not safe alternatives to tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarettes are used to breathe in an aerosol containing nicotine. It’s also known as vaping. The chemicals in the aerosol can cause lung damage and lung disease. Smokeless tobacco, including chewing tobacco and snuff, also cause multiple health problems, including mouth, throat, and pancreatic cancer.