COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of good health and taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle. The most important step a tobacco user can take to improve their health is quitting! If you’re a tobacco user, you’re probably well aware that tobacco use is seriously bad for your health as well as the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide.
However, sometimes the negative impact of tobacco use aren’t as motivating because they often seem like distant possibilities rather than real-life outcomes until you or someone you know is affected. Conversely, the benefits of quitting be motivating as they can have immediate and noticeable impacts on your health, and they continue to increase each day you remain tobacco-free. Use the health benefits of quitting described below to help empower you to quit!
Aspects of your health that improve:
- Blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
- Sense of smell and taste
- Oral health
- Ability to handle mucus
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- HDL “good” cholesterol
- Healthier looking skin
- Blood pressure and heart rate
- Circulation
- Lung function
Health risks that decrease:
- Respiratory infections
- Hypertension
- Heart attack
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Cancers such as lung, mouth, throat, esophagus. For a list of tobacco-related cancers and additional information, click here and here.
- Preventable death
Quitting can be tough—but we know you can do it. Visit the Tobacco Cessation section of our blog for tips to help you quit.
