Smoking cessation is the single most effective action a person can take to protect their lung health. Whether you have been smoking for five years or fifty, quitting delivers measurable health benefits that begin within hours and continue for decades. At RSDC Melbourne, our respiratory physicians provide evidence-based smoking cessation support as part of our comprehensive respiratory care.
Why Quitting Smoking Is a Medical Priority
Tobacco smoking is the leading preventable cause of illness and death in Australia. It is directly responsible for:
- Approximately 75% of all COPD cases
- Significantly increased risk of lung cancer — smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers
- Accelerated decline in lung function — smoking destroys lung tissue permanently over time
- Worsening of asthma and increased frequency of attacks
- Increased risk of respiratory infections including pneumonia
- Cardiovascular disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease
- Worsening of obstructive sleep apnoea — smoking inflames and irritates upper airway tissues
For patients who already have a lung condition — COPD, asthma, ILD, or OSA — quitting smoking is the most impactful intervention available, and is often the difference between manageable disease and rapid deterioration.
What Happens to Your Lungs When You Quit?
The benefits of quitting smoking begin almost immediately and accumulate over time:
- 20 minutes — heart rate and blood pressure begin to drop
- 12 hours — carbon monoxide levels in blood return to normal
- 2–12 weeks — circulation improves, lung function begins to increase
- 1–9 months — coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia in the airways begin to recover
- 1 year — risk of coronary heart disease drops to half that of a current smoker
- 5 years — stroke risk falls to that of a non-smoker
- 10 years — lung cancer death rate drops to about half that of a smoker
- 15 years — risk of coronary heart disease approaches that of a never-smoker
Even for patients with established COPD or lung fibrosis, quitting smoking significantly slows the rate of further lung function decline.
Why Quitting Is Hard — and Why You Need Support
Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known. Most smokers make multiple quit attempts before achieving long-term abstinence — this is not a sign of weakness, but reflects the neurobiological nature of nicotine dependence. Without pharmacological support, only 3–5% of quit attempts are successful at 12 months. With combined behavioural support and medication, success rates increase to 25–35%.
At RSDC, we approach smoking cessation as a medical condition requiring proper treatment — not simply willpower.
Evidence-Based Smoking Cessation Treatments
Our respiratory physicians at RSDC can prescribe and supervise all first-line smoking cessation pharmacotherapies, subsidised under the PBS where eligible:
Varenicline (Champix) — the most effective single pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. Varenicline acts on nicotinic receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms while also blocking the rewarding effects of smoking if the patient does smoke. PBS-subsidised in Australia for eligible patients.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) — available in patches, lozenges, gum, inhalers, and mouth spray. NRT replaces some of the nicotine from cigarettes, reducing withdrawal severity. Combining a long-acting patch with a short-acting form (gum or lozenge) is more effective than using either alone. Available over the counter and through pharmacies.
Bupropion (Zyban) — an antidepressant that also reduces nicotine cravings. An option for patients who cannot tolerate varenicline or prefer a non-nicotine pharmacotherapy.
Combination therapy — using varenicline or bupropion alongside NRT can further improve quit rates for heavily dependent smokers.
Behavioural Support for Quitting Smoking
Pharmacotherapy is most effective when combined with structured behavioural support. Key resources available in Melbourne and Australia-wide include:
- Quitline (13 7848) — free telephone and online counselling from trained quit coaches, available 7 days a week
- My QuitBuddy app — a free app to track progress, manage cravings, and access support
- iCanQuit — evidence-based online cessation programme
- GP and specialist follow-up — regular review appointments at RSDC to monitor progress, adjust medications, and address any pulmonary complications
Smoking Cessation for Patients with Lung Disease
For patients who already have a respiratory condition, smoking cessation is not optional — it is the most important therapeutic step available. At RSDC, we integrate smoking cessation support into the management of:
- COPD — quitting is the only intervention proven to slow FEV1 decline. Pharmacotherapy is safe and effective in COPD patients.
- Asthma — smoking worsens asthma control and reduces the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids. Quitting dramatically improves asthma management.
- Lung cancer screening — current and recent smokers aged 50–74 with a significant smoking history may be eligible for low-dose CT lung cancer screening. RSDC can advise on eligibility.
- Post-surgical care — quitting before planned surgery significantly reduces pulmonary complications and improves anaesthetic outcomes.
- Obstructive sleep apnoea — smoking increases upper airway inflammation and is associated with worsened OSA. Cessation is recommended for all smokers with OSA.
Smoking Cessation Support at RSDC Melbourne
At RSDC, your respiratory physician can:
- Assess your level of nicotine dependence (Fagerstrom test)
- Prescribe PBS-subsidised cessation pharmacotherapy
- Set a personalised quit date and plan
- Monitor lung function and respiratory health throughout your quit journey
- Provide referral letters for Quitline or specialist smoking cessation clinics where needed
RSDC has clinics across Camberwell, Richmond, Knox, Ferntree Gully, and Balwyn North. A GP referral is required for a specialist consultation. Contact RSDC today to take the most important step for your lung health.
Related articles:
Smoking is the primary cause of COPD, and quitting is the single most effective intervention to slow its progression. If you vape rather than smoke, be aware that vaping also causes significant lung damage and cessation support applies equally.
For patients with asthma, quitting smoking dramatically improves symptom control and reduces the risk of asthma attacks.
