Cancer Council’s new campaign, 'You can break free from vaping', features real people sharing their stories about how vaping affected their health—and how quitting has made a positive difference in their lives.
Most people who vape want to quit. Are you one of them?
Whether you’re just curious or ready to quit, visit cleartheair.org.au to try the ‘Am I addicted’ quiz, use the quit savings calculator to see how much you can save by quitting vaping and access the tips you need to break free from vaping for good.
Breaking free from vapes and cigarettes
Quitting smoking has major health benefits at any age, even if you already have an illness caused by smoking. The moment you stop smoking your body begins to repair itself almost straight away and you reduce your risk of developing serious health issues and diseases caused by smoking.
Never think it is ever too late to quit. Quitting is one of the best things a person who smokes can do to improve and protect their health.
| Time since quitting |
Health benefits |
| First month |
- After 12 hours, the excess carbon monoxide is out of your blood.
- After 24 hours, the oxygen level in your blood increases, improving your circulation. Your risk of heart attack begins to decrease.
- After 5 days, most nicotine is out of your body.
- Within a week, your sense of taste and smell begins to improve.
- Within a month, your skin appearance is likely to improve.
|
| First year |
- Within 2 months, your lungs stop producing extra phlegm caused by smoking.
- Within 3 months, your lung function and blood flow improves.
- Within 9 months, coughing, sinus congestion, and shortness of breath all decrease. Immune system improves and your lungs’ natural cleaning system starts regrowing.
- In 12 months, your risk of heart disease has halved (compared to someone who smokes).
|
| Long term |
- After 5 years, your risk of stroke has significantly decreased to that of a non-smoker.
- After 10 years, the risk of lung cancer is less than half of that of a person who has never smoked.
- After 15 years, your risk of heart disease is almost the same as a person who has never smoked.
|
Learn more about benefits of quitting smoking on the Make Smoking History website.
The Town supports smoke-free environments
Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. The Town is committed to reducing the negative impact of smoking and fully protect our community from the dangers of second-hand smoke.
Smoke-free environments support the community by:
- Protecting the community from the harmful effects of second hand smoke
- Reducing the risk of uptake and model non-smoking behavior
- Reducing mortality rates from smoking-related illnesses
- Improving community health and wellbeing
Smoke-free spaces and places
Smoking is banned in and around all enclosed public places, including licensed venues and many outdoor areas. This includes shopping centres, office buildings, sporting and recreation centres and community centres. Read more about smoking in public places.
