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Benefits of breaking the habit

If you need a cigarette when you wake up then it’s more than likely that you’re addicted and should make a serious effort to give up. If you’re a social smoker – say one or two at weekends or at parties – you should still try and give up completely. The good news is that the benefits of giving up smoking start immediately.

• After 30 minutes circulation improves, blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
• Eight hours later, oxygen levels in the blood return to normal, chances of heart attack start to fall.
• 24 hours later, carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body, lungs start to clear out mucus and other crap.
• 48 hours later, nicotine is no longer detectable in the body and the ability to taste and smell improves.
• 72 hours later, bronchial tubes relax and breathing becomes easier, energy levels increase.
• Two to 12 weeks later, circulation improves throughout the body, making physical activity easier.
• Three to nine months later, breathing problems such as coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing decrease, overall lung function increases by 10 to 15%.
• After five years, the risk of heart attack falls to half that of a smoker. After ten years, the risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker, and the risk of heart attack falls to the same as a non-smoker.

Benefits (quit smoking) | NHS