Quitting for family and friends is a great way to show your love and commitment to those who matter most. You’ll be helping keep them safe from second-hand smoke and vape, and be able to show up as a healthier you! Start thinking about how you would take the first step and check out other reasons to quit.

Soon after you quit smoking, your body will get more oxygen, giving you more energy and reducing stress. Your cough will go away as your lungs clean themselves, though it might take a few weeks. Your eyes and throat will feel less irritated, and your senses of taste and smell will get better. Your risk of heart attack and stroke drops quickly. Over time, you'll get fewer colds and respiratory infections, and your body will start to heal from the damage smoking caused. In the long run, you reduce your risk of lung cancer and COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema), the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S. You'll also have fewer wrinkles, whiter teeth, and won't smell like tobacco anymore.

Did you know that cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet? They contain harmful chemicals that can leach into soil and water, harming plants and animals. Vapes also introduce plastic, nicotine, flammable lithium-ion batteries, and other harmful materials into the environment when you throw them away and are actually considered hazardous waste. You want to quit because you care about our world and making it a better place -- that’s a great reason!

On average, using tobacco or nicotine products can cost thousands of dollars per year, money that could be better spent on things you enjoy or need. Quitting will help you save money so you can focus on other things like car payments or special treats.

Prioritizing your mental health by quitting is an empowering choice towards inner peace and happiness. Tobacco and nicotine products can make mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, much worse and can interfere with medications. Nicotine and tobacco products may seem like they ease stress and anxiety, but that’s actually just the nicotine stopping the discomfort of withdrawals. Many people find their stress and anxiety levels decrease after quitting.