The benefits of quitting
The benefits of quitting
Learn about what can happen after you quit smoking.
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.
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.
The cost of cigarettes
Quitting smoking comes with more than health benefits. It can also feel like getting a pay rise.