Quick wins: the short-term benefits of stopping smoking

Stopping smoking is possibly the single most important step a person can take to improve their wellbeing, whatever their age.

As many of the health benefits of quitting smoking are longer-term, younger people who smoke may be better motivated by short to medium-term benefits of quitting.

This briefing summarises evidence relating to the short-term positive consequences of smoking cessation. It covers quick gains within the first year of stopping smoking related to physical and mental health, financial benefits, as well as psychosocial, behavioural and cosmetic improvements.

Date of last review: September 2025
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