-
20 minutes
Blood pressure and pulse rate should return to normal.
-
8 hours
Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood reduce by half,
oxygen levels return to normal.
-
24 hours Carbon
monoxide eliminated from the body. Lungs begin to eject mucus and
other smoking debris.
-
48-72 hours The
body is free of nicotine. Sense of taste returning to
normal.
-
72 hours
Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax. Energy
levels increase.
-
2-12 weeks
Circulation improves.
-
3-9 months
Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems alleviated. Lung function
increased by up to 10%.
-
1 year Risk of
heart attack now half that of a smoker.
-
10 years Risk
of lung cancer now half that of a smoker.
-
15 years Heart
attack risk now equal that of a non-smoker. Lung cancer risk now
just slightly higher than the "never smoked" category.
