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Tracking the benefits of quitting smoking
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Published: April 16, 2009
If You Quit
Some things you'll notice right away are:
your breath will smell better
your teeth will get whiter
your clothes and hair will stop smelling
your fingernails will get whiter
food will taste better
your sense of smell will return to normal
everyday activities will no longer leave you out of breath
Over time, you'll notice:
Twelve hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
Two weeks to three months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
One to nine months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce the risk of infection.
One year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
Five to 15 years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.
10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas also decrease.
15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a nonsmoker's.
Source: American Cancer Society
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