Smoking Cessation

Smoking cessation benefits health and lengthens life expectancy at any age.1, 2 With that rationale, smoking cessation figures centrally in comprehensive tobacco control initiatives, including the recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force and the World Health Organization.3, 4 The population of the United States has recognized the personal benefits of stopping smoking and, at present, the majority of those who have ever smoked cigarettes have stopped.2, 5 Public health benefits have been realized. Smoking cessation is a powerful driver of the decline in cardiovascular mortality over the last 4 decades and also of the more recent declines in rates of smoking-caused cancers among men.2, 6, 7