Home | Benefits to Quitting

When Smokers Quit

20 Minutes	Blood pressure and pulse rate drop to normal; body temperature of hands and feet increase to normal.
8 Hours	In the blood, carbon monoxide drops to normal and oxygen increases to normal.
24 Hours	Chance of heart attack decreases.
48 Hours	Nerve endings start regrowing and ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
2 Weeks - 3 Months	Circulation improves, walking is easier and lung function efficiency increases.
1-9 Months	Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.
1 Year	Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
5 Years	Lung cancer death rate (1 pack/day smoker) decreases by almost half.  Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker after 5-15 years.  Risk of cancer of mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of smoker's.
10 Years	Lung cancer death rate similar to nonsmokers, precancerous cells replaced, risk of cancer of bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
15 Years	Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.