After 20 minutes of smoking that last cigarette, the body begins a series of changes that will continues for years.

20 MINUTES

• Your blood pressure drops to normal.
• Your pulse rate drops to normal.
• Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal.

8 HOURS

• Your carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal.
• Your oxygen level in blood increases to normal.

24 HOURS

48 HOURS

• Nerve endings start to regrow.
• Your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.

2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS

• Your circulation improves.
• Walking becomes easier.
• Your lung function increases up to 30%.

1 TO 9 MONTHS

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

1 YEAR

5 YEARS

• Lung cancer death rate for average smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half.
• Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5-15 years after quitting.
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker's.

10 YEARS

• Lung cancer death rate similar to that of non-smokers.
• Precancerous cells are replaced.
• Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.

15 YEARS