People who get an organ transplant (organ recipients) and people who donate an organ (organ donors) are less healthy if they smoke cigarettes.

Quitting smoking (smoking cessation) is important so that people who get or donate an organ can be as healthy as possible after surgery. Also, talk with your doctor about the types of lung problems that can be caused by using e-cigarettes or other vaping products.

People who smoke and get an organ transplant have a higher risk of:

• The new organ failing.
• Their immune system attacking the new organ. This is called organ rejection.
• Serious infection.
• Heart disease.
• Cancer.
• Lower survival rates than nonsmokers.

There are also risks specific to the organ they get. Doctors often urge people to stop smoking at least 1 to 6 months before getting an organ transplant.

People who smoke before donating an organ might not be allowed to donate. Smokers who do donate an organ have a higher risk of:

• Health problems related to the surgery.
• Problems with wound healing.
• Infection.

Doctors often urge people to stop smoking at least 4 to 6 weeks before donating an organ.

Smokers who get any organ transplant have the risks noted above. But there are also risks specific to the organ they get.

• Smoking can lead to kidney failure and to kidney disease getting worse more quickly.
• Smoking is linked to high blood pressure and kidney problems.
• Smokers who get a kidney transplant are more likely to have a shorter life than nonsmokers.

• Smoking comes with a higher risk of:
  • Stroke.
  • Heart problems.
  • Lung problems.
  • A shorter life than nonsmokers.

• Smoking leads to a higher risk of infections and a delay in wound healing, as well as other health problems.

• Transplant hospitals often require people to quit smoking before they can get a lung transplant or donate a lung.
• Smokers who get a lung transplant are more likely to have a shorter life than nonsmokers.

You're more likely to quit smoking—and quit for good—when you have support.

There are many types of support available these days, such as:

• Clinics and programs designed to help people quit.
• Medicines that cut down on cravings and help with withdrawal.
• Nicotine replacement products.

Talk to your doctor about which types of support are a good fit for you. And keep in mind that it's never too late to get health benefits from quitting.