How quitting helps your health
Your health will improve no matter when you quit. Your body begins to heal within minutes
after you stop smoking. The longer you are free from tobacco smoke, the healthier you will
become. You will live up to 10 years longer than if you continued to use tobacco.4
•Chance of having and
dying from a heart attack
goes down
1
Day
• Senses of smell
2-3 and taste improve
Days
•Carbon monoxide level in
your blood drops to normal
•Oxygen level in your blood
goes up to normal
8
Hours
•Circulation (blood
flow) improves
•Breathing is easier
•Walking is easier
2-12
Weeks
1-9
Months
• Less coughing and sinus
congestion (stuffy nose)
•More energy
• Less shortness of breath
• Less chance of infections
•Blood pressure and pulse
return to a normal rate
•Hands and feet feel a
normal temperature
20
Minutes
Time since quit Effects on your body Time since quit Effects on your body
•Risk of heart disease is
1 half that of a smoker
Year
• Less chance of getting lung
cancer or lung problems
• Improved health if you
have diabetes, asthma,
kidney disease or other
chronic disease
•Chance of getting mouth,
throat, esophagus, bladder,
kidney or pancreas cancer
is cut in half
•Risk of having a stroke is
the same as a person who
never smoked
5
Years
10
Years
•Risk of lung cancer
is cut in half
15
Years
•Risk of heart disease
is as low as a person
who never smoked