Are There Benefits of Quitting Smoking if You Have an Illness?
No matter your situation, choosing to quit smoking is always a good decision for your health and wellbeing, and that of your family.
Even if you’ve smoked for a long time, or you have an existing health condition like emphysema or lung cancer, you will still experience health benefits if you quit smoking.
And remember - your quit smoking efforts cannot make your illness any worse.
So there’s no reason not to take the first step and start your quit smoking journey today!
Visit Getting Started to begin your journey to smoke-free.
What if my smoking has already caused damage?
If you’ve been a smoker for some time, you might feel there isn’t much point trying to quit, because you think that ‘the damage has been done’.
However, while there may be damage associated with smoking, many of the symptoms of existing illnesses can improve when you quit smoking. Plus, you’ll enjoy a much better quality of life when you quit.
You may still be able to use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) or a prescribed quit smoking medication to help you quit (always consult your doctor first).
Click here to find out more about NRT.
Can I use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) after a heart attack?
For stable cardiovascular disease, you may be able to use NRT with caution. For acute cardiovascular disease, NRT can be used under medical supervision if the alternative is smoking.
Always consult your doctor to discuss NRT use if you have any type of cardiovascular disease. Click here to find out more about NRT.
Regardless of your current health, giving up smoking will always mean a better quality of life for you and your family.
Go to Quitting Methods to learn about the best quit smoking option for you.
Facts About Quitting Smoking With a Health Condition
Quitting Smoking After a Heart Attack
- Reduces the chance of dying by 36% for people with coronary heart disease.
- Has been shown to provide health benefits that are the same or even greater than other well-known treatments, like cholesterol-reducing medication.
Quitting Smoking With Emphysema
- Slows down the decline of lung function and reduces the likelihood of dying prematurely.
- Increases quality of life.
Quitting Smoking with Lung Cancer
- Can significantly increase the chance of being alive five years after diagnosis, if early stage small cell lung cancer is diagnosed.
- Improves prognosis and reduces the chance of tumour progression, even for someone newly diagnosed with early stage lung cancer.
- Is likely to result in fewer complications and side-effects from chemotherapy and radiation treatments, as smoking can cause problems with the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
- Significantly improves quality of life.
Quitting Smoking Before Surgery
Smoking can have serious health implications both during and after surgery.
Go to Quitting Smoking Before Surgery to find out more