Within 20 Minutes...

• Blood pressures drops
• Pulse rate drops to normal
• Body temperature of hand and feet increases to normal

Within 8 hours...

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

Within 24 hours...

• Chance of heart attack decreases

Within 48 hours...

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

Within 2 weeks to 3 months...

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

Within 1 to 9 months...

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

Within 1 year...

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

Within 5 years...

• 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

Within 10 years...

• Lung cancer death rate about half that of a continuing smoker's
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases

Within 15 years...

• Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmokers