No doubt about it, for most people, it's very hard to quit smoking. But
quitting is the best thing you can do for the sake of your health.
According to the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Surgeon General,
here's why:
This long without a cigarette...
Means these healthy changes for
you
20 minutes
Your blood
pressure drops to a level close to that before your last cigarette.
The
temperature of your hands and feet increases to normal.
8 hours
The carbon
monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
The oxygen level in your
blood increases.
24 hours
Your chance of a
heart attack decreases.
48 hours
Your nerve
endings start to regrow.
Your ability to smell and taste improves.
2 weeks to 3
months
Your circulation
improves.
Your lung function increases up to 30%.
1 to 9 months
Coughing, sinus
congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.
Your lungs can
better handle mucus and fight infection.
Your overall energy increases.
1 year
Your excess risk
of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
5 to 15 years
Your risk of
stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.
10 years
The lung cancer
death rate is about half that of a smoker.
Your risk of cancer of the
mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
15 years
Your risk of
coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.
Thinking about quitting? Help is available. Talk with your health
care provider or pharmacist or call the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit line at
800-QUIT-NOW.
