Smoking is the leading preventable cause of cardiovascular disease. Every year, smoking claims more than 7 million lives worldwide. The three main causes of death among smokers are: cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis), cancer, and COPD.
What smoking leads to
- Cancer. Smoking increases the risk of at least 12 types of cancer (lung, larynx, head and neck, esophagus, stomach, colon/rectum, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, cervix, acute myeloid leukemia)
- Lungs. Accelerates the decline in lung function and leads to COPD; after quitting, cough and sputum often decrease within 12 months
- Infections. Higher risk of tuberculosis, pneumococcal pneumonia, meningococcal infection, influenza, and ARVI
- Metabolism and bones. Increased risk of type 2 diabetes, accelerated loss of bone mass, higher risk of hip fracture (decreases approximately 10 years after quitting)
- Reproductive health. Pregnancy complications, premature menopause, erectile dysfunction, reduced fertility
- GI tract and oral cavity. Higher risk of peptic ulcer disease (heals worse, more frequent relapses with H. pylori), periodontal disease; higher risk of cataracts
- “I smoke occasionally” is not safe. Harm is observed even at ≤10 cigarettes/day. Cutting down is not the same as quitting
Why quitting is always worth it
- Quitting is beneficial even if diseases are already present
- The earlier, the greater the benefit: quitting before age 40 provides the greatest reduction in premature mortality
- On average, quitting tobacco extends life by ≈10 years
How to quit
- Preparation. Choose a date (“Day X”). Remove cigarettes/lighters and inform close ones
- Support. Brief counseling, apps, and telephone quitlines help
- Medications (when indicated): varenicline, combination nicotine replacement therapy (patch + gum/spray), bupropion, cytisine
- Withdrawal symptoms (peak on days 1–3, subside within 3–4 weeks): cravings, irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, ↑appetite, “brain fog.” This is normal and treatable
Rule: “Not a single puff after the quit date.” If you slip — analyze the trigger and continue the plan
Useful resources: smokefree.gov, nida.nih.gov (English)