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A mother touching her child's face with her nose

The benefits of quitting

Learn about what can happen after you quit smoking.

A mother touching her child's face with her nose

 

Within 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your body begins a series of changes that will continue for years. 

 

What happens after you quit smoking?

20 minutes – 1 hour

  • Your resting heart rate and blood pressure begin to decrease
  • Body temperature of hands and feet return to normal

4 hours

Breath becomes fresher

8 hours

  • Levels of the toxic gas carbon monoxide in blood drops to normal
  • Oxygen level in blood increases to normal
  • Your fingertips feel warmer

12 hours

  • Almost all of the nicotine is out of your system 
  • Excess carbon monoxide has left your blood

24 hours

Chance of heart attack begins to decrease

48 hours

  • Nerve endings start to regrow
  • Ability to smell and taste is enhanced
  • You will notice your hair and clothes smell fresher as your sense of smell and taste improves

5 days

  • Most nicotine by-products have left your body
  • Liver and kidneys work more efficiently

1 week

The lungs' natural cleaning system starts to heal and become better at eliminating tobacco toxins

1 month

  • Circulation improves
  • Lung function increases up to 30%

3 months

  • The tobacco stains on your fingers begin to fade
  • Skin appearance begins to improve

9 months

  • Less shortness of breath 
  • Body's overall energy increases
  • Lungs produce less mucus and function more efficiently
  • Immune system is better at fighting off colds and flu
  • You are likely to be experiencing less coughing

1 year

Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of someone who smokes

5 years

Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker (happens 5-15 years after quitting)

10 years

  • Lung cancer risk decreases by almost half
  • Risk of other cancers decrease

15 years

Risk of coronary heart disease almost the same as that of someone who does not smoke.

Start your quit journey

Find a support service

There are different support services available in Aotearoa that can help people in their journey to quit smoking. 

Use the map

Get a Quit Coach

A Quit Coach is a free professional service that is available to help you and your whānau on a plan, in person, on the phone, or online.

Sign up

The cost of cigarettes

Quitting smoking comes with more than health benefits. It can also feel like getting a pay rise.

Calculate costs
Shielded site

You can use Smokefree even if you don't have mobile data. Go to zero.govt.nz on your phone and select 'Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora'.

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