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!

Now that 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. Write down why you want to quit and read it every day. 

Be prepared to have nicotine cravings. They usually pass soon, so wait them out. The good news is they become weaker and less frequent the longer you go without smoking. When a craving hits, take a walk, call a friend or do something else you enjoy.

Download a Quit App

Using an app on your phone is a convenient way to track your smoking patterns, provide daily motivation, and help set quitting goals. Download a quit app from smokefree.gov or another trusted health organization.