Honestly? This article won’t make you smile, but if you smoke and use the information and advice in it wisely, you will be much healthier. And in the long term, what’s better than being in good health to be happier? Quit smoking today because you deserve it.
Smoking is bad for your health. Everyone knows it. However, the latest survey on tobacco consumption in Belgium, carried out by the Cancer Foundation in 2022, revealed that around 24% of Belgians aged over 15 smoke regularly. This figure has fortunately been decreasing for several years (29% in 2020 and 27% in 2021), but it will never be low enough. Indeed, smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in our country. We’re not doing anyone any favors by beating around the bush. In fact, according to recent data from Sciensano, more than 9,000 people die each year from smoking. That’s about one person per hour. The greatest mortality risk from smoking is generated by diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary heart disease. More than half of lung cancer deaths are directly attributable to smoking.
Also read: 16 tips for quitting smoking
Girls too
It should be noted that, for the first time, there is no longer a significant difference between the smoking habits of men and women in Flanders. This was discovered by the Flemish center of expertise on alcohol and other drugs (VAD), which last month published a survey of students aged 12 to 18. The results show that among these young people, there are as many girls as boys who smoke, or approximately 15.9%. Although this figure is down compared to previous years, it is surprising to see that gender disparities have disappeared. The fault is partly, probably, in the sweet tastes of electronic cigarettes. Indeed, electronic cigarettes are gaining popularity, and young women even seem to smoke more often than young men. Some 24% of young people say they have vaped in the past year, and that percentage has tripled in recent years. The popularity of vaping, fueled in particular by disposable electronic cigarettes and their attractive flavors, worries experts. They fear this will lead to an increase in the consumption of tobacco products, even as traditional cigarettes lose popularity.
The harmful effects of smoking on health
We would prefer to tout good news, but when it comes to smoking, that simply isn’t possible. If a cigarette seems harmless, lighting it has considerable repercussions on your health. In fact, tobacco is made up of a cocktail of more than 7,000 chemicals, at least 70 of which are known carcinogens. Moreover, the harmful effect on your body begins with the first cigarette and increases the more you smoke.
And the prize goes to… cancer
We’re not going to take this with a grain of salt: smoking is by far the leading cause of lung cancer. More than half of lung cancer deaths are directly linked to smoking. And lung cancer isn’t the only risk. Smoking increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder and pancreas. With every puff, you are poisoning your body, which deserves so much better.
Poor lungs
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a serious competitor to cancer. This is a disease that causes the lungs to gradually deteriorate, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Smokers often suffer from a persistent cough and shortness of breath, and are limited in their physical activities. The lungs fill with mucus and waste, and each cigarette makes this process worse.
Killer fag
Oh no, it doesn’t stop there! Indeed, smoking also damages blood vessels, makes them less elastic and increases blood pressure. This can lead to atherosclerosis, which significantly increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The nicotine in cigarettes speeds up the heart rate and constricts blood vessels, making the heart work harder to pump blood around the body.
Dirty and addictive
And then there is the addictive effect of nicotine. It is this substance that makes it so difficult to quit smoking. It acts on the brain and temporarily provides a feeling of well-being, but of short duration. Which quickly makes you want to light another cigarette. It’s a vicious cycle, and you need more and more cigarettes to get the same feeling.
Your loved ones, victims
You are not the only person suffering from your bad habit. Passive smoking is also dangerous. People who spend time in smoky environments, like your family or friends, are also at increased risk of contracting the same illnesses as you. This is especially true for children and pregnant women, for whom the effects can be more devastating. Stop smoking at least for those you love.
What would happen if you quit smoking today
If charred lungs and dead babies on your cigarette packs aren’t enough to put you off, our list of unpleasant consequences probably won’t either. Maybe you need positive encouragement instead: if you quit smoking today, it will have instant positive effects on you and your body.
After 20 minutes
Have you put out your last cigarette or thrown your vape in the trash? After just 20 minutes, your heart rate begins to drop and your blood pressure returns to normal levels. Your blood vessels begin to relax, which improves blood flow. It’s the start of a new, healthier and happier life.
After 8 hours
The level of carbon monoxide in the blood has dropped significantly. This gives your blood more space to absorb oxygen, allowing your organs to function better. This feeling of freshness in the lungs gradually sets in.
After 24 hours
The day after your last cigarette, the risk of cardiovascular disease begins to decrease. Blood vessels relax more, reducing the risk of a heart attack. You suffer less from harmful substances that weigh on your cardiovascular system.
After 48 hours
When you smoke, you lose your sense of taste and smell because tobacco numbs your senses, but 2 days after you quit, the taste buds and sense of smell begin to recover. This means your food will taste better and your sense of smell will be more acute, allowing you to better smell the fresh air or your partner’s perfume.
After 1 week
Your lungs clear mucus and waste after just a week. Result? You feel less suffocated and breathe more deeply. This is one of the first signs that your body is repairing itself and your lung function is gradually improving.
After 1 month
After a month, you feel much healthier. Your blood circulation is smoother, your lungs work better, and you start to have more energy. Activities like walking or climbing stairs now seem less strenuous, and you are in better shape overall.
After 1 year
Your risk of developing heart disease drops by half compared to your years of smoking. It’s a giant step towards a healthier, longer and happier life.
After 5 years
After 5 years without (electronic) cigarettes, the risk of stroke is as low as that of a person who has never smoked. Your blood vessels are supple and healthy again.
After 10 years
The risk of lung cancer, one of the deadliest consequences of smoking, is cut in half. Your lungs have largely repaired themselves and absorb oxygen more efficiently since they are no longer exposed to toxins. You can thank yourself.
After 15 years
After 15 years, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease is similar to that of a person who has never smoked. Your body has recovered from the damage caused by years of smoking.
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