Reasons to Quit Smoking
Lots of studies show the benefits of quitting smoking. This includes health and financial benefits that can save lives and money. While it¡¯s best to quit as early in life as possible, quitting at any age can lead to a better lifestyle and health.
Quitting can make you look, feel, and be healthier
- Using tobacco leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of your body.
- Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death.
- Quitting helps stop the damage that tobacco can have on how you look, including, gum disease, tooth loss, and premature wrinkling of your skin.
- Secondhand smoke is dangerous and can harm the health of your friends and family.
Quitting can help you save money
- Cigarettes and other tobacco products are expensive. At about $8 per pack of cigarettes, smoking a pack a day costs you about $2,900 in a year.
- Quitting lowers your risk of getting colds and other respiratory problems. This means fewer doctor visits, less money spent on medicines, and fewer sick days off work.
- Cleaning and home repairs might cost less since clothes, furniture, curtains, and the car won¡¯t smell like tobacco.
Quitting can improve your self-confidence and lead to a better lifestyle
- Not using tobacco products helps keep your family safe.
- Your may have more energy to enjoy quality family and leisure time.
- Quitting can set a good example for others who might need help quitting.
- Family and friends will likely be proud of your progress in quitting and staying quit.
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- References
Developed by the ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Society of Clinical Oncology. Benefits of Quitting Tobacco. Cancer.net. Content is no longer available.
National Cancer Institute. Harms of Cigarette Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/cessation-fact-sheet on October 8, 2024.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Smoking Cessation. Version 1.2024. Accessed at https://www.nccn.org/ on October 8, 2024.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Effects of Cigarettes: Cancer. Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/cigarettes-and-cancer.html on October 8, 2024.
World Population Review. Cigarette Prices by State. Accessed at https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/cigarette-prices-by-state on February 11, 2026.
Last Revised: October 28, 2024
ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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