NEVER TOO LATE TO STOP SMOKING

Within... 

20 minutes  

Your blood pressure, pulse rate and the temperature of your hands and feet have returned to normal

8 hours 

 

Remaining nicotine in your bloodstream has fallen to 6.25% of normal peak daily levels, a 93.75% reduction

 

12 hours

 

Your blood oxygen level has increased to normal. Carbon monoxide levels have dropped to normal.

24 hours

 

Anxieties have peaked in intensity and within two weeks should return to near pre-cessation levels.

48 hours

 

Damaged nerve endings have started to regrow and your sense of smell and taste are beginning to return to normal. Cessation anger and irritability will have peaked.

 

72 hours
 

Your entire body will test 100% nicotine-free and over 90% of all nicotine metabolites (the chemicals it breaks down into) will now have passed from your body via your urine

5 - 8 days

 

The "average" ex-smoker will encounter an "average" of three cue induced crave episodes per day. Although we may not be "average" and although serious cessation time distortion can make minutes feel like hours, it is unlikely that any single episode will last longer than 3 minutes. Keep a clock handy and time them.  

10 days 
 

The "average" ex-user is down to encountering  less than two crave episodes per day, each less than 3 minutes.

10 days to 2 weeks

Recovery has likely progressed to the point where your addiction is no longer doing the talking. Blood circulation in your gums and teeth are now similar to that of a non-user

2 to 4 weeks

 

Cessation related anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, impatience, insomnia, restlessness and depression have ended. If still experiencing any of these symptoms get seen and evaluated by your physician

2 weeks to 3 months

 

Your heart attack risk has started to drop. Your lung funcion is beginning to improve.

1 year

Your excess risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke has dropped to less than half that of a smoker.

5 years 

Your risk of a subarachnoid hemorrhage has declined to 59% of your risk while still smoking. If a female ex-smoker, your risk of developing diabetes is now that of a non-smoker.