Doctor explains if quiting smoking after long-lasting dependence is too late

Here's what happens to the body after the last cigarette

• Within 20 minutes, pulse and blood pressure normalize.

• After 12 hours, carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal.

• Within 48 hours, the body completely eliminates nicotine.

• After a year, the risk of premature death from cardiovascular diseases is halved.

It's essential to remember that there is no safe form of smoking. Both conventional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, as well as tobacco products for heating and hookahs, pose a threat to health. Even occasional smoking still harms the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, it's advisable to quit smoking altogether or avoid starting.

Diseases caused by smoking

Smoking contributes to various diseases, including:

• Respiratory diseases and asthma

• Various cancers affecting different parts of the body and organs

• Coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes

• Osteoporosis

• Cataracts and blindness

• Periodontal diseases

• Vascular diseases and aortic aneurysm

• Infertility and impotence

These diseases are not exclusive to active smokers; passive smokers (those inhaling tobacco smoke near a smoker) are also at risk of developing the mentioned conditions.

Importantly, parents who smoke set a poor example for their children, influencing their perceptions of the social acceptability of smoking. Scientifically proven, children and adolescents from families where at least one parent uses tobacco products are seven times more likely to start smoking.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.