Within 20 Minutes: Blood Pressure, pulse rate, and body temperature return to normal.

Within 12 Hours: Carbon monoxide levels in blood drop to normal.

Within 24 Hours: Your chance of heart attack has already decreased.

Within 48 Hours: Nerve endings start re-growing and your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.

Within 72 Hours: Bronchial tubes relax, lung capacity increases, and breathing becomes easier.

2 Weeks-3 Months after Quitting: Circulation improves, walking becomes easier, and lung function increases up to 30%.

1-9 Months after Quitting: Cilia (small hairs) reactivate in the lungs, increasing their ability to handle mucous, clean the lungs and reduce infection. Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease. Your body’s overall energy level increases.

1 Year after Quitting: Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.

5 Years after Quitting: Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker in 5 to 15 years after quitting.

10 Years after Quitting: Lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker. Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidneys, and pancreas decrease.

15 Years after Quitting: Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker.