What is an immediate benefit of quitting smoking?

The immediate benefit of quitting smoking is that it enhances the sense of taste and smell. When a person stops smoking, they often notice improvements in their ability to taste and smell almost immediately. This is due to the cessation of harmful chemicals from tobacco that impair these senses.

Although reducing the risk of sudden death from a heart attack is a significant long-term benefit of quitting smoking, it does not occur immediately and typically takes time for the cardiovascular system to recover. Improving lung capacity is also a benefit that occurs over time, as the lungs begin to heal and function better, but substantial improvements are generally noticed after a short period rather than within just one week. Ultimately, respiratory problems and their reduction are outcomes that manifest over a longer timeframe, often taking weeks to months of abstinence to see a noticeable difference. Thus, while all the other options present valuable outcomes of quitting smoking, enhancing one's sense of taste and smell is the only immediate effect observed upon cessation.