Health timeline of what quitting means to your body

This article has been written and medically approved by Pharmacist Conor McSorley GPhC Reg No. 2223070

After 20 minutes – Your blood pressure and pulse rate will fall to a normal level

After 8 hours – Carbon monoxide levels in the blood are cut by more than half with oxygen levels returning to a normal level to replace the carbon monoxide.

After 24 hours – Your lungs start to remove mucus and other substances left behind by the cigarette smoke. The carbon monoxide has been completely removed from your blood

After 48 hours – Taste and smell is improved

After 72 hours – Your bronchial tubes begin to relax, increasing the air capacity of your lungs. This allows you to breath more easily and increases energy levels

After 2 to 12 weeks – Circulation will improve throughout the body, increasing your ability to cope with more strenuous exercise such as running.

After 5 years – Your risk of heart attacks falls to roughly half of that of a current smoker

After 10 years – Your lung cancer risk falls to roughly half of that of a current smoker

After 15 years – Your risk of heart disease is almost exactly the same as someone who has never previously smoked.