Page last updated on January 5, 2022.

Most smokers have thought about quitting smoking. And most people who have ever smoked have quit. Each ex-smoker quits in their own way and two things stand out in the process: motivation and planning. Learn from each quit attempt. Take advantage of free resources to help you quit.

The Health Benefits of Quitting

Within 20 minutes:

• Heart rate and blood pressure drop
• Temperature of hands and feet goes up

Within 8 – 24 hours:

• Carbon monoxide level in blood goes down
• Oxygen level in blood normalizes
• Chance of heart attack decreases

Within 48 – 72 hours:

• Damaged nerve endings start to re-grow
• Sense of smell and taste begin to improve
• Nicotine is completely out of your body

2 weeks to 3 months:

• Improved blood circulation
• Lungs work better
• Exercise gets easier
• Wounds heal faster

1 to 9 months:

• Coughing, shortness of breath, and sinus congestion decrease
• Body’s overall energy level goes up
• Tiny hairs in the lungs (cilia) start to work again, keeping lungs clean. This makes it easier to breathe and lowers your risk of getting sick

1 year:

• Risk of heart disease is cut by half

2-5 years:

• Risk of stroke goes down to the level of someone who has never smoked

5 years:

• Risk of getting cancer in your mouth, throat, esophagus, or bladder is reduced by half
• Cervical cancer risk falls to that of someone who has never smoked

10 years:

• Lung cancer risk is cut in half
• Risk of voice box (larynx) and pancreatic cancer goes down

15 years:

• Risk of heart disease returns to the level of someone who has never smoked

Share + Celebrate Your Quit Journey on Social Media!

Click here for badges to post on social media.  

Haz clic aquí para insignias para las redes sociales.