20 MINUTES

• Blood pressure drops to normal.
• Pulse rate drops to normal.
• Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal.

8 HOURS

• Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal.
• Oxygen level in blood increases to normal.

24 HOURS

• Chance of heart attack decreases.

48 HOURS

• Nerve endings start regrowing.
• Ability to smell and taste is enhanced.

2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS

• Circulation improves.
• Walking becomes easier.
• Lung function increases up to 30%.

1 TO 9 MONTHS

• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease.
• Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection.
• Body's overall energy increases.

1 YEAR

• Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.

5 YEARS

• Lung cancer death rate for average smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half.
• Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting.
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker's.

10 YEARS

• Lung cancer death rate similar to that of nonsmokers.
• Precancerous cells are replaced.
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.

15 YEARS

• Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.