Great American Smokeout 2023
It’s never too late to quit smoking and start breathing easier!
Whether you’re 18 or 81, you feel the benefits of quitting tobacco almost right away, and the benefits continue to build over time. A year after quitting, your risk of heart attack drops sharply. Within two to five years, your risk of stroke decreases and may match that of someone who does not smoke. Five to 10 years after you quit smoking, your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, and bladder is cut in half. Smoking also puts you at greater risk for the common cold, the flu and pneumonia. People who smoke get respiratory illnesses more frequently and are more likely to need hospitalization if they become sick. If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the best thing you can do for your health is stop smoking. Quitting also makes it easier to manage the condition. When you’re ready to take the first step, VA can help you develop a quit plan and provide you with support to stick to it. Even if you’ve tried quitting before, your VA provider can help you try a new therapy or combination of treatments that may work for you.