Big Benefits

What Happens When You Quit Smoking?

Two Hours After Quitting

Nicotine begins to leave your system. Some people may feel withdrawal pangs. This is a good sign. Your body is cleaning itself out. Don't give up. Within two days all the nicotine byproducts will be gone.

After Six Hours

Heart rate and blood pressure decrease (although it may take up to a month for them to return to their normal rates.)

After Twelve Hours

The carbon monoxide is completely out of your system. Your lungs work more efficiently and you can do more without becoming short of breath.

After Two Days

Your sense of taste and smell sharpen. In addition, your breath, hair, fingers, and teeth will be cleaner.

After One Week

Most withdrawal symptoms are completely gone.

After Two Weeks

Your circulation improves. So does your confidence level because you feel good about your accomplishment and progress. You begin to think of yourself as a nonsmoker.

One to Nine Months

Your body's overall energy level increases. Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease. Your lung function can improve by as much as 30%.

Within Two Months

Blood flow improves to your hands and feet, keeping them warmer. Your skin looks healthier.

Within Three Months

The cilia (hairlike cleaning system in the lungs) begin to recover and remove the mucous from your lungs. You can now cough up this mucous thus reducing the chance of infection. You may notice increased coughing for a few days.

After One Year

Your risk of lung cancer is reduced and the risk of heart disease is cut in half.

After Five Years

Your risk of dying from lung cancer is nearly cut in half.

Fifteen Years After Quitting

Your risk of lung cancer and heart disease approaches that of someone who has never smoked.

Your Appearance

Not only will you feel better, but you'll also look better. Since smoking stains your teeth, gives you stale breath, and causes wrinkles around the eyes and mouth to appear earlier, the sooner you quit the better.

Your Bank Account Also Gets Healthier

Giving up cigarettes is like giving yourself a raise. Think about it. If you smoke one pack of cigarettes a day, you could save over $1,400 a year. Imagine what you could do with that money. Nonsmokers also pay much less for life insurance premiums.

Your Confidence Soars

Few things compare to the sense of satisfaction that you get when you quit smoking. If you can handle quitting smoking, you can handle just about anything!