Benefits of Quitting Tobacco

Quitting tobacco use in any form is one of the most important actions people can take to improve their health. This is true regardless of their age or how long they have been using tobacco products. While quitting earlier in life yields greater health benefits, quitting smoking is beneficial to health at any age. Even people who have smoked for many years or have smoked heavily will benefit from quitting.

Quitting smoking is the single best way to protect family members, coworkers, friends and others from the health risks associated with breathing secondhand smoke, and is one of the most important actions people who smoke can take to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease and respiratory diseases.

Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking

• Improves health and increases life expectancy
• Lowers risk of cardiovascular diseases
• Lowers risk of 12 types of cancer
• Lowers risk of COPD
• Lowers risk of having poor reproductive health outcomes

Tobacco users pay may higher health insurance premiums than nontobacco users. Homeowners and rental insurance plans may ask about smoking and often offer a discount for a nontobacco use. Home and automobile insurances see smokers as a higher risk for accidents, therefore premiums are higher. Employers also incur higher costs due to reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher healthcare expenses linked to tobacco use. Additionally, workplaces with designated smoking areas may pay more for fire insurance, cleaning, and maintenance.

Economic Benefits of Quitting Smoking

• Lower insurance premiums for medical, property, automobile, etc.
• Increased productivity and earnings in the workplace
• Decreased time lost at job
• Increased property values
• Decreased problems caused by secondhand smoke

For more information about tobacco cessation, tools and resources, visit Tobacco Cessation.

Posted 4/10/2025