If you're one of the more than 50 million Americans who still smoke, the health benefits of quitting are immediate and substantial, according to the U.S. Surgeon General annual report on smoking and health made public today.
The evidence is overwhelming that kicking the nicotine habit "has major and immediate health benefits for men and women of all ages, even those in the older age groups," says the report.
And, it stresses, the benefits apply to persons with and without smoking-related disease. Even smokers who have already developed cancer may benefit from smoking cessation.
Although relevant data is sparse, the report said longer survival might be expected among smokers with cancer or other serious illnesses if they stop smoking.
"Smoking cessation represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives," said Dr. Antonia C. Novello, the surgeon general.
For the first time, the surgeon general's 21st annual report on smoking systematically reviews the health benefits and consequences of smoking cessation.
The report was developed by the Office of Smoking and Health, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention, federal Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Public Health Services, based on data produced by more than 120 scientists.
Other major conclusions of the report are:
* Former smokers live longer than continuing smokers, according to an analysis of data from the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study II. For example, people who quit smoking before age 50 have one-half the risk of dying in the next 15 years compared with those who continue to puff away.
* Quitting smoking decreases the risk of lung cancer, many other cancers, heart attack, stroke, chronic lung diseases and respiratory illnesses. For example, the risk of lung cancer for former smokers drops to as much as one-half that of continuing smokers after 10 years. The risk continues to decline with additional years of staying smoke-free.
* There are unique benefits for women who stop smoking. For example, if all women quit smoking during pregnancy, about 5 percent of the deaths among newborn infants could be prevented. And, women who kick the habit before trying to get pregnant are as likely to get pregnant as women who have never smoked. About 25 percent of pregnant women in this country smoke throughout pregnancy.
