AFTER


20 minutes

Blood pressure and heart rate drop.

8 hours

Nicotine levels in the bloodstream fall to 6.25% of normal peak daily levels (a 93.25% drop).

12 hours

- Carbon monoxide levels drop to normal.

- Oxygen levels in the bloodstream increase to normal.

24 hours

Nicotine levels in the bloodstream are now gone.

48 to 72 hours

- Nerve endings start growing again.

- Sense of smell and taste begin to improve.

- Alveoli (lung bronchial tubes leading to air sacs) begin to relax.

- Breathing is easier and lungs are functioning better.

- Entire body is 100% nicotine-free.

- Over 90% of all nicotine metabolites (the chemicals it breaks down into) will have passed through the urine.

10 days to 2 weeks

Blood circulation in gums and teeth is now similar to nonsmokers.

2 to 4 weeks

Cessation related anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, impatience, insomnia, restlessness and depression end.

2 weeks to 3 months

- Circulation improves.

- Walking gets easier.

- Lung function improves up to 30%.

- Skin appearance improves as it loses the grayish pallor and becomes less wrinkled.

- Chronic cough disappears.

- Risk of heart attack falls.

1 to 9 months

- Cilia (small hairs) grow back in lungs to better handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection.

- Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.

- Colds, soar throats and headaches decrease.

- Overall energy and concentration levels increase.

1 year

- Risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.

- Risk of premature death from heart attack decreases.

5 years

Risk of stroke becomes the same as nonsmokers.

10 years

- Risk of death from lung cancer goes down by almost half for an average smoker (one pack per day).

- Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas goes down.

15 years

Risk of coronary heart disease equals that of nonsmokers.