Acknowledgement CDC, Atlanta

 

Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years.


20 Minutes After Quitting

Your heart rate drops.

12 hours After Quitting

Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting

Your heart attack risk begins to drop.
Your lung function begins to improve.

1 to 9 Months After Quitting

Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

1 Year After Quitting

Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

5 Years After Quitting

Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.

10 Years After Quitting

Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s.
Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.

15 Years After Quitting

Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker’s.