Tip:

Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years.

 

20 Minutes After Quitting
Your heart rate drops.

 

12 hours After Quitting
Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

 

2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting
Your heart attack risk begins to drop.
Your lung function begins to improve.

 

1 to 9 Months After Quitting
Your Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

 

1 Year After Quitting
Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

 

5 Years After Quitting
Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.

 

10 Years After Quitting
Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s.
Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.

 

15 Years After Quitting
Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker’s.

(Source: CDC)