Translate
The benefits of quitting
When you give up smoking, your body starts going through good changes right away!
Source: Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time, American Cancer Society
-
Within 20 minutes of your last cigarette
Your blood pressure and heart rate drops to a normal rate for you.
-
12 hours
The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
-
2 weeks to 3 months
Your circulation improves. Lung function increases.
-
1 to 9 months
There's less coughing, sinus congestion, tiredness, and shortness of breath. Cilia (tiny hairs) re-grow in your lungs to better handle mucous, clean your lungs, and reduce infection.
-
1 year after quitting
Your extra risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
-
5 to 15 years
Your stroke risk goes down to that of a nonsmoker.
-
10 years after quitting
The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a person who still smokes. Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas goes down.
-
15 years after quitting
Your risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker's.