The document discusses the health risks of smoking and the health benefits of quitting smoking. It states that principal diseases caused by smoking are cancer, COPD and CVD, and risks increase based on duration and amount smoked. On average, smokers lose 7.5 years of life. Quitting smoking leads to increased longevity and reduced risks of various diseases, with heart disease risk decreasing to non-smoker levels within 10 years. Within 72 hours of quitting, blood pressure and carbon monoxide levels return to normal. Long term benefits include halved lung cancer risk after 10 years and equal heart attack risk as non-smokers.

3. Diseases Caused by Smoking: CPSII Study: Men

4. Overall risk to smokers and never-smokers 40 55 70 85 100 Age 0 20 40 60 80 100 % Alive 59 12 80 33 80 33 Doll et al BMJ 1994 7.5 years Current cigarette smokers Never smoked regularly

9. 40 55 70 85 100 Age 0 20 40 60 80 100 % Alive 40 55 70 85 100 Age 0 20 40 60 80 100 % Alive Former smokers stopped 35-44 Former smokers stopped 45-54 Former smokers stopped 65+ Former smokers stopped 55-64 Effects on survival after ages 45, 55, 65 & 75 of stopping smoking in previous decade Doll et al BMJ 1994 40 55 70 85 100 Age 0 20 40 60 80 100 % Alive 40 55 70 85 100 Age 0 20 40 60 80 100 % Alive