Quitting smoking is one of the most important decisions you can make for your health. Ministry of Health
27-07-2026 14:55 Armenia Social
The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia presents information about the health benefits of quitting smoking and practical tips to ease the process of stopping smoking in the first days.
«Quitting smoking is one of the most important decisions you can make for your health. No matter how long you have smoked, your body begins to recover after you quit, and the risk of developing many diseases decreases over time.
When you decide to quit smoking, remember why you are doing it:
My health will start to improve within the first hours of quitting smoking.
I will breathe easier, and my cough will decrease over time.
My sense of taste and smell will improve.
My physical endurance and daily activity will improve.
The risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic lung diseases, and many cancers will decrease.
My oral health will improve.
My reproductive health will improve, and the health risks for the mother and fetus during pregnancy will decrease.
I will protect my family members and those around me from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
I will save money that I previously spent on cigarettes.
What to do in the first days of quitting smoking
In the first days, the craving for nicotine can be strong. This is temporary and usually decreases gradually.
The following steps may help:
Choose environments where smoking is prohibited (gym, library, museum, shopping center, etc.).
Be physically active: walk, run, ride a bike, swim, or do yoga.
Keep your hands busy: write, draw, craft, use a stress ball or engage in other activities.
Drink plenty of water. Prefer water and unsweetened beverages, limit alcohol consumption as it can increase the desire to smoke.
If coffee triggers the desire to smoke, temporarily replace it with another drink.
Redirect your attention: read, solve a crossword puzzle, listen to music, or engage in other interesting activities.
If you feel the urge to smoke, chew sugar-free gum or eat cut vegetables.
Remember that the craving to smoke usually lasts only 5–10 minutes and will pass if you don’t smoke.
If you are having difficulty quitting smoking, seek help from professionals:
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