Benefits of Quitting Smoking

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• Blood pressure may drop to normal level.
• Pulse drops to normal rate.
• Body temperature of hands, feet increases to normal.

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• Carbon monoxide level in blood drops.
• Oxygen level in blood increases.

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• May reduce chance of heart attack.

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• Nerve endings may regrow.
• Ability to smell and taste enhanced.

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• Bronchial tubes relax; if undamaged, will make breathing easier.
• Lung capacity increases.

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• Circulation improves.
• Walking becomes easier.
• Lung function may increase up to 20 percent.

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• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath may decrease markedly over a number of weeks.
• Potential for cilia to regrow in lungs, increasing ability to handle mucous, clean the lungs and reduce infection.

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• The risk of heart disease is reduced by half. After 15 years, the risk is similar to that of persons who have never smoked.

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• Cervical cancer risk reduced compared to continuing smokers.
• Bladder cancer risk halved compared to continuing smokers.

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• Lung cancer death rate for average smoker (one pack a day) decreases from 137 per 100,000 to 72 per 100,000.
• 5 to 15 years after quitting, stroke risk is reduced to that of someone who has never smoked.

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