The benefits start as soon as you stop

Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do to improve your health and lifestyle. Once you stop smoking, some of the benefits are immediate and some are longer-term.

The good news is that once you stop smoking, your health improves and your body will begin to recover. Quitting is the best thing you will ever do.

• Your sense of taste will return and you will enjoy the taste of food more.
• Your breathing and general fitness will improve.
• The appearance of your skin and teeth will improve. Once you stop smoking, you will prevent further deterioration of your skin caused by smoking.
• You will reduce your risk of developing serious illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, coronary heart disease or lung disease, and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airway disease.
• You will reduce your risk of developing circulatory problems such as peripheral vascular disease, which can result in gangrene and amputation.
• Within two years of stopping smoking, your risk of stroke is reduced to half that of a smoker and within five years it will be the same as a non-smoker.
• Your fertility levels and chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby will improve.
• You will protect the health of those around you by not exposing them to second-hand smoke.
• You will reduce the chances of your children suffering from bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma attacks, meningitis and ear infections.

Smoking and your physical and mental health

You can find out more about how smoking affects your physical and mental health.