· 20 minutes after quitting
o Your heart rate and blood pressure drop
· 12 hours after quitting
o Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal
· 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting
o Circulation improves and lung function increases
· 1–9 months after quitting
o Coughing and shortness of breath decrease
o Lungs become clean, reducing the risk of infection
· 1 year after quitting
o The excess risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker's
· 5 years after quitting
o Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker
· 10 years after quitting
o The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a person who is still smoking
o The risk of other cancers decreases
· 15 years after quitting
o The risk of heart disease is that of a non-smoker's
Helpful tips
It’s common to have nicotine withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking. Nicotine is the drug in tobacco that causes a person to become addicted. The symptoms are usually brief and decrease with time. Eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise and adequate sleep, drinking plenty of water and practicing stress management techniques can help you get through the unpleasant times.
In addition, the New York State Smokers’ Quitline provides free and confidential stop smoking support and services, including over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy. Visit www.nysmokefree.com to learn more.
