COPD & Smoking

If you’re living with COPD, the most important step you can take to protect your lungs and health is to stop smoking. It’s not always easy, but with the right support and treatment, quitting is possible – and it’s never too late to start.¹

Why smoking makes COPD worse

Most people with COPD develop the condition after long-term exposure to harmful substances – and for many, the main cause is smoking. Cigarettes contain chemicals that not only damage your lungs, but also enter your bloodstream and affect your whole body.^1–3

The damage may have started in the past, but you can still make a difference now by stopping smoking today.^1–3

The benefits of quitting smoking

Stopping smoking doesn’t just help your lungs – it can improve your life in many ways. Benefits can include:^1–4

Healthier for those around you

Slower progression of your condition

Longer life expectancy

Saving money

Fewer flare-ups

Even if you’re over 60, your lungs can still benefit from quitting.¹

Topic already on your list

Add to Discussion List

There’s no safe way to smoke

No matter what people say, all forms of tobacco are harmful. This includes:¹

Low tar, light, or menthol cigarettes

Cigarettes with filters (filters don’t make them safer)

Roll-ups

Shisha (hookah)

Cigars and pipes

Cannabis

Inhaling any kind of smoke is bad for your lungs — especially if you already have COPD.¹

Topic already on your list

Add to Discussion List

Ready to Stop Smoking?

If you’re thinking about quitting, that’s a great first step. It might be tough, but with the right support, you’re far more likely to succeed.⁵

You’re 3 times more likely to quit if you combine support with a stop smoking treatment.⁵

Topic already on your list

Add to Discussion List

Tips to help you quit:⁶

Choose a quit date and mark it on your calendar

Try nicotine replacement like patches or gum

Make a list of why you want to stop

Try gentle exercise instead of smoking

Keep busy to distract from cravings

Tell friends and family for support

Learn what worked (or didn’t) in past attempts

Be prepared for your triggers and plan how to deal with them

Join a local or online support group

Treatments to help you quit

Nicotine is addictive, and you might get withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking. But there are many effective treatments to help:^5–8

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) – patches, gum, lozenges, sprays, tablets or inhalators

Prescription medication — can help reduce cravings and withdrawal

Stop smoking apps — including the free NHS Quit Smoking app

Free Stop Smoking Services — expert support from trained professionals, one-to-one or in groups

Find more help and tools at:

NHS Quit Smoking Services

Topic already on your list

Add to Discussion List

Talk to Your Healthcare Team

Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist is there to help – not to judge. They can:⁷

Refer you to a local Stop Smoking Service

Prescribe medication to help you quit

Talk you through your options and support

If you’re ready to take the next step, add it to your discussion list for your next appointment.

Topic already on your list

Add to Discussion List

You Can Do It

Even if you've tried before and it didn't work, that's okay. Every attempt gets you one step closer. Everything you've learned with help you when you try again. This time it could be the one that works.

If you can go 28 days without a cigarette you’re more likely to quit for good.⁷

What happens when you stop smoking?

To help you understand the benefits, here’s how your body begins to recover after quitting:⁵

After 20 minutes

Your pulse returns to normal.

After 8 hours

Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in your blood fall by half.
Your oxygen levels begin to return to normal.

After 24 hours

Carbon monoxide leaves your body. Your lungs start to clear.

After 48 hours

Your sense of smell and taste improve.

After 72 hours

Breathing becomes easier. Your energy levels increase.

Between 2 & 12 weeks

Your blood circulation around your body improves.

From 3 to 9 months

Your lung function increases by up to 10% – making breathing easier.

After 1 year

Your risk of having a heart attack is half of someone who still smokes.

After 10 years

Your risk of lung cancer falls to half of that of a smoker.

After 15 years

Your risk of a heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked.

Your healthcare team may also provide support to help you stay smoke-free. There are many resources, tools, and treatments available to make quitting easier.

For more information on, visit this page.

Learn more about quitting smoking

Healthcare team could include a GP, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, dietitian, occupational therapist, counsellor and stop smoking advisor.

Abbreviations:

COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; GP, general practitioner; NRT, nicotine replacement therapy.

References:

Asthma + Lung UK. Why is smoking bad for me? https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/stop-smoking/why-is-it-bad. Accessed November 2025.
NHS. Treatment COPD. Available at https://www.n. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/treatment/. Accessed November 2025.
Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of COPD. https://goldcopd.org/2025-gold-report/. Accessed November 2025.
NICE. COPD in over 16s: diagnosis and management. Available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng115/resources/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-in-over-16s-diagnosis-and-management-pdf-66141600098245. Accessed November 2025.
Asthma + Lung UK. How can I quit smoking? https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/stop-smoking/quit. Accessed November 2025.
NHS. Quit smoking. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/. Accessed November 2025.
NHS. Find your local Stop Smoking Service. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/find-your-local-stop-smoking-service/. Accessed November 2025.
NHS. Stop smoking aids. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/stop-smoking-aids/. Accessed November 2025.

COPD & Smoking

Why smoking makes COPD worse

The benefits of quitting smoking

Healthier for those around you

Slower progression of your condition

Longer life expectancy

Saving money

Fewer flare-ups

Even if you’re over 60, your lungs can still benefit from quitting.1

There’s no safe way to smoke

Ready to Stop Smoking?

Tips to help you quit:6

Choose a quit date and mark it on your calendar

Try nicotine replacement like patches or gum

Make a list of why you want to stop

Try gentle exercise instead of smoking

Keep busy to distract from cravings

Tell friends and family for support

Learn what worked (or didn’t) in past attempts

Be prepared for your triggers and plan how to deal with them

Join a local or online support group

Treatments to help you quit

Talk to Your Healthcare Team

Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist is there to help – not to judge. They can:7

You Can Do It

If you can go 28 days without a cigarette you’re more likely to quit for good.7

What happens when you stop smoking?

After 20 minutes

After 8 hours

After 24 hours

After 48 hours

After 72 hours

Between 2 & 12 weeks

From 3 to 9 months

After 1 year

After 10 years

After 15 years

Your healthcare team may also provide support to help you stay smoke-free. There are many resources, tools, and treatments available to make quitting easier.

Abbreviations:

References:

Even if you’re over 60, your lungs can still benefit from quitting.¹

Tips to help you quit:⁶

Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist is there to help – not to judge. They can:⁷

If you can go 28 days without a cigarette you’re more likely to quit for good.⁷