“From tomorrow I will stop.”
“After this last packet.”
“After stress reduces.”
“After work pressure settles.”
For many people, quitting tobacco becomes a conversation postponed repeatedly.
And then one day patients walk into clinics asking a different question:
“Doctor… I have already used tobacco for years. Does stopping now even matter?”
As a Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist, this is one of the most important discussions I have with patients and families.
Because many individuals believe the damage has already been done.
They think:
“What difference will quitting make now?”
“Maybe it is too late.”
“Maybe my body is already permanently damaged.”
As Dr. Bhavin Vadodariya, MS, DrNB Surgical Oncology, Lead Consultant Surgical Oncologist at SSO Cancer Centre Ahmedabad, I would like to discuss something I frequently explain during counseling:
Stopping tobacco today still matters.
More than most people realize.
Tobacco Damage Does Not Happen Overnight
Cancer is rarely the result of one cigarette.
Or one packet of gutkha.
Or one day of exposure.
The process usually develops slowly over years.
Repeated exposure may cause:
- Cellular injury
- Chronic inflammation
- DNA damage
- Tissue changes
- Progressive accumulation of risk
Many patients do not notice anything initially.
Life feels normal.
Work continues.
Symptoms do not appear.
And that creates false reassurance.
But the body often remembers repeated injury.
What Happens When You Quit Tobacco?
One remarkable aspect of human biology is recovery.
The body immediately begins responding once exposure stops.
Although recovery differs among individuals, important changes begin surprisingly early.
Within 24 Hours
Blood circulation starts improving.
Carbon monoxide levels decline.
The body begins receiving oxygen more effectively.
Within Weeks To Months
Many individuals notice:
- Improved breathing
- Better exercise tolerance
- Reduced cough
- Improved taste sensation
- Better smell sensation
- Increased energy
Patients frequently describe:
“Doctor, I feel lighter.”
“Food tastes different.”
“I don’t feel breathless as much.”
Over The Following Years
Long-term quitting may gradually reduce risks involving:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Lung disease
- Multiple cancers
Risk reduction occurs progressively over time.
The earlier an individual quits, the greater the potential benefit.
“Doctor, Does Risk Become Zero?”
This question deserves an honest answer.
No.
Risk may not suddenly become zero.
Especially if tobacco exposure has been present for many years.
However this does not mean quitting becomes meaningless.
There is an important difference between:
“Risk does not become zero.”
and
“Risk does not improve.”
Those are completely different statements.
Improvement still occurs.
And improvement matters.
The Surgical Perspective Patients Rarely Hear
As surgeons we often discuss another important aspect.
Tobacco affects more than cancer risk alone.
Patients who continue tobacco exposure may experience:
- Delayed wound healing
- Increased infections
- Reduced tissue oxygenation
- Higher reconstructive complications
- Greater anesthesia-related risks
Healthy tissue heals differently.
For major surgeries involving reconstruction, blood supply becomes critically important.
The body functions better when continuous injury stops.
The Biggest Challenge Is Usually Not Nicotine
Many people assume quitting is only a physical challenge.
But during counseling I often notice something different.
Tobacco frequently becomes linked with:
Morning routines.
Tea breaks.
Stress relief.
Driving.
Work discussions.
Social gatherings.
Emotional habits.
Which means quitting sometimes requires changing patterns — not simply removing a substance.
What I Tell Patients During Counseling
I usually keep it simple.
Do not focus on:
“Can I stop forever?”
Instead focus on:
“Can I stop today?”
Large goals become easier when broken into smaller decisions.
One day.
One week.
One month.
Then continue.
My Message On World No Tobacco Day 2026
As oncologists we remove tumors.
We reconstruct tissues.
We create treatment plans.
But prevention remains stronger than treatment.
The greatest operation may sometimes be the operation that never becomes necessary.
If you currently use:
Gutkha
Tobacco mixtures
Cigarettes
Smokeless tobacco
Pan with tobacco
Please remember:
Your body starts responding earlier than you think.
And it is rarely too late to choose differently.
The best time to quit may have been years ago.
The next best time is today.
About The Author
Dr. Bhavin Vadodariya, MS, DrNB Surgical Oncology
Lead Consultant Surgical Oncologist
SSO Cancer Centre Ahmedabad
Special interests:
- Head & Neck Cancer Surgery
- Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery
- Oral Cancer Surgery
- Advanced Reconstructive Oncology Surgery
Website: Dr Bhavin Vadodariya Official Website
https://drbhavinvadodariya.com
Google Profile: Dr Bhavin Vadodariya Google Profile
Instagram: @the_cancer_surgeon24
Youtube : https://youtube.com/@cancerdocbhavin?si=ls6Zd2o3wOj_jIV9