You’ve worked out your motivations to quit smoking. Now, let’s look at the benefits of quitting smoking!
If you want a longer and better quality life, quitting might help — former smokers live longer than continuing smokers.
Other benefits of quitting smoking to your body include better blood circulation and sense of taste and smell, higher energy levels, and less breathlessness and coughing. You’ll also be able to concentrate better and be less prone to headaches.
Some of these improvements happen as early as eight hours after you stop smoking! For example, within eight hours, your blood oxygen level returns to normal, and within two days, your chances of having a heart attack decreases.
In the longer term, quitting will reduce the risk of diabetes, as well as strokes, cancers, heart disease and chronic lung diseases.
Second-hand smoke increases non-smokers’ risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Quitting smoking not only benefits your health but also the health of your family members — they’ll no longer suffer from poor health like frequent coughs and increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease. (Plus, think of how much you’d save on trips to the doctor!) You’ll be a better role model for your kids (or little nieces and nephews).
Starting a family? Women who stop smoking before pregnancy or in their first trimester will have lower risks of birth complications.
There are health benefits when you quit smoking. Your blood circulation improves, and you’ll be able to breathe easier. Playing with your kids, nieces or nephews no longer tires you out quickly: you can finally keep up with their boundless energy and enjoy family bonding with physical activities like cycling at East Coast Park or playing “catching” at the playground.
Ex-smokers also have a longer life than smokers, so you can look forward to more time with your family and friends. Think about being able to witness the precious moments in your children’s lives: their graduations, weddings, the birth of your grandchildren. Or the time you’ll be spending with your kakis, enjoying retirement and talking about the good old days.
Quitting smoking will also improve your looks! That’s one of the benefits of quitting smoking too.
Look forward to lower chances of wrinkles and acne and healthier teeth that don’t stain so easily. That’s not all: your hair, eyes, skin, and nails will also start to look better when you stop smoking — it’s a free makeover!
You’ll have fresher breath too, and your clothes and stuff will no longer smell of cigarette smoke.
Smoking could cause slower arousals, erectile problems, impotence, and reduced satisfaction. So, stubbing out could make bedtime more fun for you and your partner.
Not in a relationship? Quitting smoking might help you in the dating arena — and not just because you look and feel better. According to a popular dating site, almost 90% of respondents preferred to date a non-smoker.
Quitting smoking also means a heavier wallet and more savings — you’re no longer financing your pricey habit. After giving you and your loved ones a treat or that dream holiday, save for the future. Put the money you're saving from quitting towards your retirement fund or your children's education.
You might even enjoy life more when you stop smoking: food tastes better, you have more confidence because you look and feel better, and you have more energy to go about your day.
Plus, you’ll gain freedom from addiction and be in control. You’ll know you don’t need cigarettes to feel good. Those are just some of the many benefits of quitting smoking.
Join the I Quit Programme and remain smoke free for 28 days and you are 5 times more likely to quit smoking. You can nominate your loved ones as a supporter when you sign up for the programme. Validate your smoke-free status and redeem a HPB eVoucher* worth $50 at the 28th day milestone. Keep going and you'll also receive eVouchers* worth $30 and $20 at the 3rd month and 6th month milestone respectively!
*Terms and conditions apply.
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This article was last reviewed on 17 Jan 2023
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