Benefits of quitting
Benefits of quitting
Below are listed the benefits to your health by quitting and the approximate time frames for the benefits to "kick in". One thing needs to be stressed: Smoking just one cigarette per day can COMPLETELY negate most of the benefits listed below!!!!
According to the American Cancer Society:
Within 30 minutes of quitting:
- Blood pressure drops to normal
- Pulse rate drops to normal
- Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal
Within 8 hours of quitting:
- Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal
- Oxygen level in the blood increases to normal
Within 24 hours of quitting:
- Chance of heart attack decreases.
Within 48 hours of quitting:
- Nerve endings begin to regrow
- Ability to smell and taste is enhanced
Within 2 weeks to 3 months of quitting:
- Circulation improves.
- Walking becomes easier.
- Lung function increases up to 30%.
Within 1 to 9 months of quitting:
- Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.
- Cilia regrow in the lungs, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection.
- Overall energy level increases.
Within 1 year of quitting:
- Risk of coronary heart disease drops to half that of a smoker.
Within 5 years of quitting:
- Lung cancer death rate drops by almost half.
- Stroke risk drops to that of a non-smoker (5 to 15 years)
- Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker.
Within 10 years of quitting:
- Lung cancer death rate is similar to that of non-smokers.
- Precancerous cells are replaced by healthy ones.
- Risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, cervix and pancreas decreases.
Within 15 years of quitting:
- Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker.
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