Quitting Tobacco and Vaping

Quitting tobacco and vaping products is one of the most important health decisions a person can make. Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term benefits for you and your loved ones. Quitting can be challenging, but it is possible!

20 minutes after quitting

Your heart rate drops to a normal level.

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12 hours after quitting

The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

2 weeks to 3 months after quitting

Your risk of having a heart attack begins to drop. Your lung function begins to improve.

1 to 9 months after quitting

Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

1 year after quitting

Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.

5 to 15 years after quitting

Your risk of having a stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker's. Your risk of getting cancer of the mouth, throat, or esophagus is half that smoker's.

10 years after quitting

Your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a smoker's. Your risk of getting bladder cancer is half that of a smoker's. Your risk of getting cervical cancer or cancer of the larynx, kidney, or pancreas decreases.

15 years after quitting

Your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as that of a nonsmoker.

Resources to help adults and youth quit smoking, vaping, or other tobacco use

Illinois Tobacco Quitline

The Illinois Tobacco Quitline is a free service to support Illinois residents on their journey to quit tobacco. Our certified Quitline counselors are trained to help you find the best strategy to move forward in your life tobacco-free. Call 1-866-QUIT-YES and visit www.quityes.org .

My Life, My Quit

My Life, My Quit™ is the free and confidential way to quit smoking or vaping for youth. Text “Start My Quit” to 36072 and visit mylifemyquit.org .

Other Resources

Please use the additional resources listed on this page to help you get involved and take action against tobacco use or for additional information.

Youth

Use the websites below to find more information on remaining or becoming tobacco-free.

The Real Cost – Interact with this site to fully understand the real cost of tobacco use to you and your friends.
Truth – The truth® campaign is the largest national youth-focused anti-tobacco education campaign ever.
Tobacco Free Kids – The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is a leading force in the fight to reduce tobacco use and its deadly toll in the United States and around the world.
Smokefree Teen – A new effort to help teens quit smoking using a mobile phone.
Know the Risks – Office of the U.S. Surgeon General “Know The Risks E-Cigarettes & Young People”
QuitSTART App – A free smartphone app for teens who want to quit smoking. This app takes the information you provide about your smoking history and gives you tailored tips and inspiration to help you become smokefree and live a healthier life.

Adults/Parents/Caregivers

Smokefree.gov – The National Cancer Institute (NCI) created Smokefree.gov to help you or someone you care about quit smoking. It is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ efforts to reduce smoking rates in the United States.
This is Quitting – Parents can text QUIT to 847-278-9715 to sign up to receive text messages designed specifically for parents of vapers.
SmokefreeTXT – For adults in the United States who are ready to quit smoking. Text QUIT to 47848.

Schools

American Heart Association – Tobacco-Free Schools Toolkit designed to assist schools in creating a tobacco-free environment that helps prevent students from using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, and support students who need help quitting. The toolkit includes model language for the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of a 100% tobacco-free school district policy.
Empower Vape-Free Youth – CDC campaign to encourage middle and high school educators to speak with students about the risks of e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction. The campaign also provides resources for educators to help students avoid or quit vaping.