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Reasons to Quit Smoking

Timeline of quitting smoking

When you quit smoking, your body gets to work much faster than most people realise. Health benefits begin in as little as an hour after the last cigarette and continue to improve the longer you stay quit.

On top of this, you'll save the money that you were previously spending on cigarettes. Use this online calculator to work out how much you might save. You could be surprised at how quickly it adds up!

Key Points of the Timeline

  • In 8 hours, your levels of carbon monoxide and nicotine reduce by 50%
  • In 24 hours, all carbon monoxide ingested from cigarettes are eliminated from your body
  • In 48 hours, there is no nicotine left in your body. Your senses of taste and smell begin to improve
  • In 72 hours, breathing becomes easier and energy levels start to rise
  • In 2 weeks, circulation starts to improve and lung function begins to increase
  • In 3-9 months, coughing and wheezing eases. Lung function can increase by up to 10%
  • In 1 Year, your risk of a heart attack falls to half of that of a smoker
  • In 10 Years, your risk of lung cancer halves
  • In 15 years, your risk of a heart attack is now the same as someone who has never smoked

Timeline of quitting smoking