No matter how old you are or how long you’ve smoked, the reasons to quit tobacco are endless. Your health will improve. Your appearance will improve. Your entire life will improve. If you’re looking for inspiration to quit, take a look at the short-term and long-term benefits listed below. Check them out, and remember — for FREE help quitting tobacco and nonjudgmental support available 24/7, visit OKhelpline.com or call 1-800-QUIT NOW.

1. You’ll feel accomplished.

In addition to feeling better, quitting tobacco leads to a huge sense of accomplishment. What does it feel like to kick a habit that you’ve had for 5, 10, 20 or more years? Confidence, accomplishment, and pride.

2. Your heart rate will lower.

What happens when you quit smoking today? In just 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure will drop. Plus, your risk of a heart attack will decline within 24 hours.

3. You’ll save money.

One of the many advantages of quitting smoking is a fatter wallet. When you’re not spending five to six bucks a day on cigarettes, the savings stack up fast. Use our Cost of Tobacco Calculator to find out just how much you can save by quitting.

4. Your senses will improve.

As your heart and lungs begin to heal, your senses will too. You’ll experience better vision and sharper hearing. Plus, your sense of smell and taste will improve considerably. With your taste buds back in action, you know what that means… more flavorful and enjoyable food.

5. You’ll have a brighter smile & clearer skin.

Smoking can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, cavities and even oral cancer. By quitting, you’ll improve your oral health, and your pearly whites will shine even brighter. Plus, your breath will be fresher. Guess what else? Your skin will feel fresher and smoother, and the wrinkles caused by smoking will begin to disappear. Quitting also means no more stains on your lips and fingers.

6. You’ll protect your family.

Quitting smoking will not only benefit you, but your family and friends too. By making your home and car smokefree, you’ll clear the air of dangerous secondhand smoke and its hundreds of harmful chemicals… protecting your health and everyone else’s.

7. You’ll cough less.

In the months after you quit, your cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) will start to regain normal function in your lungs. This makes for cleaner lungs and a decrease in coughing and shortness of breath.

8. You’ll smell better.

Smoke clings to your clothes and objects around your home like drapes, towels, carpet and furniture. By quitting, you’ll no longer be exposed to lingering smoke particles. You’ll smell better, and once you wash everything, your home (and car) will smell better too.

9. Your immune system will improve.

Strengthening your immune system is just another of the many reasons to quit tobacco. Because your immune system is no longer exposed to tar and nicotine, it will become stronger… and you’ll be less likely to get sick. Quitting makes for a longer, healthier life.

10. You’ll reduce your risk of cancer.

One of the major benefits of quitting smoking is reducing your risk of chronic diseases. Five years after you quit, your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder is cut in half. Ten years after quitting, the risk of dying from lung cancer is cut in half. You also reduce your risk of diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke.

These are just a few of the countless benefits of quitting smoking. For more inspiration, check out our Thinking About Quitting page.

If you’re ready to quit, or if you want to learn more about our FREE services and strategies to help you become tobacco free, visit OKhelpline.com or call 1-800-QUIT NOW.