Figure 3.4.3

Cardiovascular mortality rate by years since quit smoking among individuals who formerly smoked relative to individuals who currently smoked and individuals who never smoked among US adults aged 25–89 years

Cardiovascular mortality rate is more than twice as high among current smokers as among never smokers.

After quitting smoking, the cancer mortality rate declines over the following decades and approaches that of people who never smoked. Smoking cessation can thus significantly reduce excess cardiovascular mortality by about two-thirds within the first decade after quitting smoking and by 100% in 30 years or more among former smokers relative to continuing smokers.

Source

  • Thomson B, Islami F. Association of smoking cessation and cardiovascular, cancer, and respiratory mortality. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2024; 184(1):110-112.