What Happens When You Quit Smoking

If you are still contemplating on whether to quit smoking, this report by the Office of the Surgeon General may just help you make up your mind to quit for good.

The Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation: A report of the Surgeon General. US DHHS, 1990.

This is what happens the moment you stopped smoking.

Within 20 Minutes:
Your blood pressure, pulse rate, and the temperature of your hands and feet will all return to normal.

Within 8 Hours:
Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood will reduce by half. Oxygen levels will return to normal.

Within 24 Hours:
Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucous and other smoking debris.

Within 48 Hours:
Damaged nerve endings have started to regrow and your sense of smell and taste are beginning to return to normal.

Within 72 Hours:
Your entire body will test 100% nicotine-free and over 90% of all nicotine metabolites will now have passed from your body via your urine. You can also expect the symptoms of chemical withdrawal to have peaked in intensity. Your bronchial tubes are beginning to relax thus making it easier to breathe. Your lung capacity has also started to increase.

Within 10 – 14 Days:
Your body has physically adjusted to again functioning without nicotine and the more than 3,500 chemical particles and 500 gases present in each and every puff.

Within 2 – 12 Weeks:
Your heart attack risk has started to drop. Your lung function is beginning to improve. Your circulation has also substantially improved. Walking has become easier. Your chronic cough, if any, has likely disappeared.

Within 3 – 9 Months:
Any smoking related sinus congestion, fatigue or shortness of breath have decreased. Cilia have regrown in your lungs thereby increasing their ability to handle mucus, keep your lungs clean, and reduce infections. Your body’s overall energy has increased.

Within 5 Years:
Your excess risk of coronary heart disease has dropped to less than half that of a smoker.

Within 10 Years:
Your risk of death from lung cancer has declined by almost half if you were an average smoker (one pack per day). Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus has now decreased. Your risk of stroke has declined to that of a non-smoker.

Within 15 Years:
Your risk of coronary heart disease is now that of a person who has never smoked.

As you can see, the moment you stopped smoking, your body functions will start returning to normal and the physical health benefits are almost instantaneous. This is what happens when you quit smoking immediately. If you are looking to start quitting, there is no better time than now. I am sure this report will give you the strength and determination to quit smoking…NOW!