Smoke-free curious?
Start here if you’re wondering about the health, financial and other benefits of quitting.
Learn more
The benefits of quitting
Your body will begin to benefit from quitting smoking in as little as eight hours, and the benefits will continue for years!
What happens when you quit
7 tips to help you quit
It’s not easy to quit smoking, but there are many tips and sources of support to help you on your quit journey.
7 tips
Managing your withdrawal symptoms
No matter how bad your withdrawal symptoms may feel, know that they won’t last forever. Withdrawal symptoms usually become less noticeable after the first four or five days.
How to manage
Helping a friend quit smoking
A good support system is important to help smokers get through withdrawal symptoms and stay motivated about their choice to quit smoking for good.
How to be a quit buddy
Advice from a smoking cessation counsellor
Benefits of quitting
Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do to improve your health and quality of life. Non-smokers have a much lower risk of getting dozens of smoking-related diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, and COPD. It doesn’t take long for your body to start benefitting from quitting!
20 minutes after quitting
- Your heart rate drops to a normal level.
12 to 24 hours after quitting
- The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
- The risk of heart attack is reduced.
- Your sense of smell and taste begin to improve.
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting
- Your lung function begins to improve and you can breathe easier.
- Your circulation improves.
1 to 9 months after quitting
- You cough less and are short of breath less often.
1 year after quitting
- Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
1 year after quitting
- Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
5 to 15 years after quitting
- Your risk of having a stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s.
- Your risk of getting cancer of the mouth, throat, or esophagus 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 bladder cancer is half that of a smoker’s.
- Your risk of getting cervical cancer or cancer of the larynx, kidney or pancreas decreases.
15 years after quitting
- Your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as that of a nonsmoker.
Want more reasons to quit?
- Your teeth will be whiter and your breath will be fresher
- Your skin will look healthier and have fewer wrinkles
- Your hair and clothes won’t smell of smoke
- Your breathing and general fitness level will improve
- You will heal faster and have fewer complications after surgery
- You’ll set a good example for your children
- Your smoking will no longer affect the health of people around you
- You’ll have more money to save or to spend on other things
- You’ll have more energy to do the things you love
- You’ll pay lower life insurance premiums
- Cigarettes will no longer control your life