What is a health benefit after 10 years of quitting smoking?

After 10 years of quitting smoking, one significant health benefit is that the risk of lung cancer decreases by 50%. This reflects the long-term positive impact of cessation on lung health, as the body starts to repair itself from the damage caused by smoking. The risk of lung cancer remains elevated compared to those who have never smoked, but the marked reduction shows the importance of quitting and how it can significantly lower disease risk over time.

While other health benefits do occur after quitting—such as improvements in heart function and reduced risk of heart disease—they typically don't reach the 50% reduction benchmark until several years after quitting. Complete restoration of respiratory capacity may take longer and is not guaranteed, depending on the extent of previous damage. Thus, the 50% reduction in lung cancer risk after 10 years highlights a critical milestone in the healing process from the effects of smoking.