What are the Benefits of Quitting Smoking?

The major benefits of quitting smoking would be lowering the risk of developing cancer, stroke, and heart disease later in life. Enjoying better health and boosting natural immunity is another benefit. Improving lung capacity and enjoying easier breathing may also be benefits of quitting smoking. Coughing may be alleviated or stop completely after smoking cessation.

If a person has been smoking for years, it is likely he may suffer from fatigue on a regular basis. This is due to the stress cigarette smoke may put on the heart and lungs, making those organs work harder. If the smoker gives up cigarettes permanently, however, he may receive certain benefits from quitting smoking, such as an increased level of energy ad overall improved health.

Other benefits from quitting smoking may be developing fewer respiratory illnesses, such as colds and flu. The immune system will not be as compromised once smoking cessation has occurred. The individual may not be as likely to develop sore throats and coughs that produce chest congestion. Bouts of sinusitis may disappear as well.

Blood pressure will generally return to a more normal range after a person quits cigarette smoking. As a result, any headaches induced by tobacco smoke in the bloodstream may also diminish. Perhaps one of the more significant benefits of quitting smoking and having the blood pressure return to an acceptable level is not having to be dependent on medication to treat hypertension.

It is said that other benefits from quitting smoking include an increase in perception of taste and smell. Nicotine may interfere with functioning of a person's taste buds and nasal receptors. "Smoker's breath" may be gone for good once smoking has stopped, with no more lingering bad taste in the mouth.

There are benefits of quitting smoking such as developing fewer circulatory problems. With increased blood flow and oxygen to the body's vital organs, decreased risk of blood clots may be another benefit. Muscle cramping and spasms may also be reduced from giving up smoking. This is because the blood vessels will not continue to be constricted as a direct result of cigarette smoking.

Many experts believe that quitting smoking increases brain function and cognitive abilities significantly. In doing so, improved concentration may result. Attention spans may improve in many individuals. Both long-term and short-term memory may improve after cigarette smoking has stopped.

Another benefit from quitting smoking is thought to be less incidence of fertility related issues. Women who quit smoking will have less risk of giving birth to a baby with birth defects or health problems. A woman who quits smoking will lower her risk of having a baby with a low birth weight.

One's finances can also improve as a person quits smoking. Not only will the individual save money from never buying cigarettes again, medical insurance costs may be reduced as well. This can add up at the end of each year.