Why Stop Smoking


In addition to being easier on your pocketbook and the ones you love, quitting smoking has health benefits that start almost instantly and extend for the rest of your life. When you quit smoking...

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How To Stop Smoking

Why Stop Smoking

Within 20 minutes: Blood pressure, body temperature and pulse rate will drop to normal.

Within eight hours: Smoker's breath disappears. Carbon monoxide level in blood drops; oxygen level rises to normal.

Within 24 hours: Chance of heart attack decreases.

Within 48 hours: Nerve endings start to regroup. Ability to taste and smell improves.

Within three days: Breathing is easier.

Within two to three months: Circulation improves. Lung capacity increases up to 30 percent. Walking becomes easier.

Within one to nine months: Sinus congestion and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia that sweep debris from your lungs grow back. Energy increases.

Within one year: Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.

Within two years: Heart attack risk drops to near normal.

Within five years: Lung cancer death rate for the average former pack-a-day smoker decreases by almost half. Stroke risk is reduced. Risk of mouth, throat, and esophageal cancer is half that of a smoker.

Within 10 years: Lung cancer death rate is similar to that of a non-smoker. The precancerous cells are replaced.

Within 15 years: Risk of coronary heart disease same as a person who has never smoked.