Health Benefits

from Stopping Smoking

20 minutes after quitting smoking:

• Blood pressure & pulse rate decreases to normal.

8 hours after quitting:

·        Nicotine and carbon monoxide level in blood decrease by ½.

·        Oxygen level in blood increases to normal.

24 hours:

·        Body is clear of carbon monoxide. Mucus & smoking debris start to clear from lungs.

·        Chance of heart attack decreases.

48 hours:

·        Nerve endings start to re-grow.

·        Nicotine is eliminated from the body.

·        Ability to smell and taste is improved.

2 weeks to 3 months:

·        Circulation improves.

·        Walking becomes easier.

·        Lung function increases up to 30%.

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3 to 9 months:

·        Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath all decrease.

·        Cilia re-grow in lungs, increasing ability to “clean” lungs & reducing likelihood of infection.

·        Body’s overall energy increases.

1 year after quitting:

·        Excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker.

5 years:

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

10 years:

·        Risk of lung cancer decreases.

·        Risk of other cancers decrease (mouth, throat, esophagus, kidney, etc.)

15 years after quitting smoking:

·        Risk of heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked!