There's no doubt that giving up is the best thing to do on all scores. For myself I gave up 10 years ago - cold turkey from 20 a day and haven't touched one since. I just didn't want to set the wrong example to my three young kids. Plus my wife didn't smoke, - although (somehow) she never once nagged me to stop.
My poor old Mum gave up 25 years ago and was never a heavy smoker, but she still scored emphysema a couple of years ago and now has to have oxygen from a machine or small bottle vitually 24/7.
Also, a mate of mine died of throat cancer that he got 15 years after he'd stopped - although he said (long before he died) that he had been a heavy smoker.
So, clearly the best thing to do is not to smoke at all. But if you do, please consider giving up as soon as possible, because these things clearly don't just happen to other people.
All the best,