JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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To examine the effects of giving up smoking, years since quitting smoking and the quantity of cigarettes smoked, and primary pipe or cigar smoking on the risk of stroke. ⋯ Smoking cessation is associated with a considerable and rapid benefit in decreasing the risk of stroke, particularly in light smokers (< 20 cigarettes/d); a complete loss of risk is not seen in heavy smokers. Switching to pipe or cigar smoking confers little benefit, emphasizing the need for complete cessation of smoking. The absolute benefit of quitting smoking on risk of stroke is most marked in hypertensive subjects.