Tobacco
Tobacco is harmful
Smoking harms nearly every organ in your body, causing many diseases and affecting the health of smokers in general. Quitting has immediate as well as long-term benefits.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. In general, smoking-related illnesses cost society over $300 billion each year, including more than $225 billion in direct medical costs.
Break the habit and start healing now!
Within 20 minutes of quitting…
Within 20 minutes of quitting
Your heart rate decreases.
12 hours of quitting
Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to nrmal.
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting
Your heart attack risk begins drop.
Your lung function begins to improve.
1 to 9 months after quitting
Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
1 year after quitting
Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
5 years after quitting
Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.
10 years after quitting
Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s.
Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
15 years after quitting
Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a non-smoker’s.
Fast Facts
Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States.
Over 8,900 Kentuckians die from smoking related illnesses each year.
23.6% of adults in Kentucky smoked cigarettes in 2019.
$1.9 billion was spent on healthcare costs in Kentucky due to smoking in 2009.
Links and Resources
Health effects of
Cigarette Smoking
Health effects of second hand smoke
1-800-Quit-Now
1-800-LUNG-USA
Pregnancy Fact Sheet, (Spanish)
Behavioral Health Fact Sheet, (Spanish)
PHA, Medicare Fact Sheet, (Spanish)
- Published: October 14, 2021
- Page reviewed/updated: December 28, 2023
