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Stopping Smoking & Vaping Before Surgery
Stopping smoking or vaping before an operation helps your body in ways you can feel, some within a single day. Whatever your timeline, it is never too late, and any quit helps.
See what your quit can earn you
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Frequently asked questions
Is it worth stopping smoking just a day or two before surgery?
Yes. Within about 12 to 24 hours of your last cigarette, carbon monoxide clears from your blood and your oxygen levels improve, which helps your heart, your tissues and your wound healing. Even a single smoke-free day before surgery is a real win, so do not give up just because surgery is close.
How far ahead is best to quit before an operation?
Longer is better. Quitting several weeks ahead (often quoted as around 4 to 8 weeks) gives the biggest drop in wound, chest and anaesthetic complications. But there is no point at which quitting stops helping, and even short-notice quits improve oxygen delivery. Stop whenever you can, the sooner the better.
Can I use nicotine patches or gum around surgery?
Yes. Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges, spray) is generally fine and actively encouraged around surgery because it helps you stay off tobacco smoke, which is the harmful part. Tell your anaesthetic and surgical team you are using it, and follow your own product leaflet and their advice.
Do I need to stop vaping before surgery too?
It is still best to stop vaping before surgery, and to tell your team that you vape. Vaping avoids the tar and carbon monoxide of cigarettes but is not risk-free for healing and airways. Your care team can advise on timing and on switching to nicotine replacement if that helps you stop.
Will the team be annoyed if I have not managed to quit?
No. Your team's job is to help you have the safest possible surgery, not to judge you. Be honest about how much you smoke or vape, even if you have not stopped, so they can plan your anaesthetic and pain relief safely and offer support.