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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.
Swollen or damaged airways can make it difficult to breathe. When these conditions are progressive, understanding the symptoms and treatment options is important. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
Over time, damage to the heart and blood vessels may lead to health problems like high blood pressure, high lipids, acute coronary syndrome and heart failure. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
Over time, damage to the kidneys may lead to health problems like hyperkalemia and anemia. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
Maintaining a healthy level of glucose (sugar) in the blood and understanding the symptoms and complications when the levels are too high or low is essential to managing diabetes. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
If you've been diagnosed with cancer, you will likely have questions about the disease, how it may be treated and what outcome you might expect with your health condition. It can be hard to understand what cancer means and difficult to talk about. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
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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.
