Smoking and your health
The moment you quit smoking, your body starts to heal and your health begins to improve. Discover how smoking affects your body, the risks of passive smoking, and what happens during withdrawal as you start your journey to better health.
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Health risks of smoking
Learn the health risks of smoking and the life-changing benefits of quitting. See how smoking harms your body and how quitting lowers risks like cancer, lung disease and heart problems - at any age or stage.
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Chemicals in tobacco products
Explore the 7,000+ chemicals in tobacco smoke, including 69 cancer-causing substances. Learn how additives like ammonia boost addiction in tobacco products.
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How smoking affects the body
Discover how smoking harms nearly every part of your body. Learn the effects of smoking on your organs and why quitting is the best choice for your health.
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Smoking and cancer
More than 7000 chemicals are released in tobacco smoke, 69 of which can cause cancer. Learn how tobacco smoke damages DNA, triggers cell mutations and increases cancer risk.
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Smoking and lung disease
Smoking damages lungs and causes diseases like emphysema, COPD, and chronic bronchitis. Quitting improves breathing, slows lung decline, and boosts quality of life.
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Smoking, heart disease and stroke
Quitting smoking lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke. It can be more effective than cholesterol medication and reduce coronary death risk by 36%.
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Quitting before surgery
Quitting smoking before surgery lowers the risk of complications, improves wound healing, and speeds recovery. Start early for the best results.
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Passive smoking
Passive smoking harms others, including children, through second-hand smoke. Learn why there's no safe level of exposure and how it increases health risks.
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Smoking and your mental health
Quitting smoking reduces anxiety, depression and stress while improving quality of life. Get support from family, friends and Quitline to succeed.
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Smoking and viral infections
Smoking increases the risk, severity and duration of respiratory infections like the flu and common cold. Learn how it impacts your health.
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Social smoking
Even occasional smoking poses serious health risks. Learn how social smoking nearly matches daily smoking in risks for heart disease and lung cancer.
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Gaining weight after quitting
Worried about weight gain after quitting smoking? Most gain around 4kg, but long-term benefits to your health and appearance outweigh the concern.
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Nicotine withdrawal symptoms
Learn about nicotine withdrawal symptoms when you quit smoking, what causes them, and how to manage them with quitting medications and support.