|
The Health Benefits of
Quitting Smoking
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, former smokers realize the following benefits over time:
|
|
Time after quitting
|
Health benefits
|
|
12 hours
|
Carbon monoxide level drops to normal
|
|
2 weeks to 3 months
|
Circulation improves and lung function increases
|
|
1 to 9 months
|
Coughing and shortness of breath decrease
|
|
1 year
|
Risk of heart disease is half that of a current smoker
|
|
5 to 15 years
|
Risk of stroke is reduced to that of a non-smoker
|
|
10 years
|
Death rate of lung cancer is half of that of a current smoker
|
|
15 years
|
Risk of heart disease is the same as that of a non-smoker
|
