The Benefits of Quitting Poster
Compared to smokers, your…
- Stroke risk may be reduced to about the same as a person who never smoked after 2 to 5 years of not smoking
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus risks are halved within 5 years after quitting
- Cancer of the larynx risk is reduced after quitting
- Coronary heart disease risk is cut by half 1 year after quitting and is nearly the same as someone who never smoked 15 years after quitting
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk of death is reduced after you quit
- Lung cancer risk drops by as much as half 10 years after quitting
- Ulcer risk drops after quitting
- Bladder cancer risk is halved within 5 years of quitting
- Peripheral artery disease goes down after quitting
- Cervical cancer risk is reduced a few years after quitting
- Low birth weight baby risk drops to normal if you quit before pregnancy or during your first trimester
Disclaimer: Data and findings provided in the publications on this page reflect the content of this particular Surgeon General’s Report. More recent information may exist elsewhere on the Smoking & Tobacco Use Web site (for example, in fact sheets, frequently asked questions, or other materials that are reviewed on a regular basis and updated accordingly).