The benefits of smoking cessation

Abstract

Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of mortality, responsible for nearly six million deaths worldwide. The three major causes of smoking-related mortality are atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Smokers also benefit from quitting smoking even after the development of smoking-related diseases, such as coronary heart disease or COPD. Screening all patients for tobacco use and providing smokers with behavioural counselling and pharmacotherapy to stop smoking are among the most valuable preventive services that can be offered in health care.