The Benefits of Stopping Smoking

After just 20 Minutes:

• your blood pressure decreases
• pulse rate drops
• body temperature of hands and feet increases

In 8 hours:

• carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
• oxygen level in blood increases to normal

24 hours:

• chance of a heart attack decreases

48 hours:

• nerve endings start regrowing
• ability to smell and taste is enhanced

2 Weeks to 3 Months:

• circulation improves
• walking becomes easier
• lung function increases

1 to 9 Months

• coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decreases

1 Year

• excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker

5 Years

• from 5 to 15 years after quitting, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.

10 Years

• risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that of continuing smokers
• risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases
• risk of ulcer decreases

15 Years

• risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that of people who have never smoked
• risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked