Healthy changes in the body begin 20 minutes after smoking that last cigarette, and continue to improve the longer you stop smoking. Sources: MedlinePlus, A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; American Cancer Society, Inc.; World Health Organization, Tobacco Free Initiative.
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When Smokers Quit
Healthy changes in the body begin 20 minutes after smoking that last cigarette.
20 Minutes After Quitting
8 Hours After Quitting
Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal
Oxygen level in the blood increases to normal
48 Hours After Quitting
Nerve endings start to regrow
Ability to smell and taste begins to return to normal
2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting
Blood circulation improves
Lung function improves
1 to 9 Months After Quitting
Coughing and shortness of breath improve
Cilia start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce risk of infection
1 Year After Quitting
5 to 15 Years After Quitting
10 Years After Quitting
Sources: 1. MedlinePlus, A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health (NIH). https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007532.htm. Accessed 4/1/14. 2. American Cancer Society, Inc., https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/guidetoquit- tingsmoking/guide-to-quitting-smoking-toc. Accessed 4/1/14. 3. World Health Organization. Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI). https://www.who.int/tobacco/quitting/benefits/en/#. Accessed 4/1/14.