Figure 3.4.4

Excess cardiovascular mortality avoided since quitting smoking among US adults aged 25–89-years-old who formerly smoked

Quitting smoking has huge health benefits.

Within just 10 years of quitting, the risk of one dying from cardiovascular disease drops to a third of what it would be if one continued smoking. Even 20 years later, there’s still a slightly higher risk compared to someone who never smoked—but it’s more than 90% lower than if one had continued smoking all that time.

Source

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