Benefits of quitting smoking
Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years
• 20 Minutes After Quitting
Your heart rate drops.
• 12 hours After Quitting
Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
• 2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting
Your heart attack risk begins to drop.
Your lung function begins to improve.
•1 to 9 Months After Quitting
Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
•1 Year After Quitting
Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
•5 Years After Quitting
Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.
•10 Years After Quitting
Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s.
Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
•15 Years After Quitting
Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker’s.