Tobacco companies designed cigarettes to keep you hooked, so it’s not your fault if you’re still smoking. In fact, in the beginning society encouraged smoking to make men stronger with more stamina. Now, we are aware of the truth about what cigarettes do to our bodies. If you’re thinking about quitting smoking, your body will react quickly to the absence of nicotine and smoke in a positive way.
In One Day
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Within the first half hour of stopping smoking, your blood pressure and pulse drop to normal. You’ll probably also feel your hands and feet start to warm up. By the eighth hour, the nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in your blood drops by half and oxygen levels increase to normal levels. You’ll feel more alert, sleep better, and be stronger. Smoker’s breath also disappears. If you can go 24 hours, your chance of a heart attack decreases.
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Within Three Days
In 48 hours after quitting, your body eliminates carbon monoxide and nicotine completely. Your senses of smell improves and your taste buds switch from black and white to color. Your lungs start to clear out mucus and other debris. Your nerve endings also start to regroup. Within three days, your bronchial tubes start to relax and breathing becomes easier. You can walk, run, and exercise easier and without coughing or wheezing.
From One to Nine Months
Circulation, lung function, and stamina improve. Walking becomes easier. Your lung capacity increases up to 30%. Coughing, sinus congestion, and shortness of breath decrease. Your lungs are better able to handle mucus, stay clean, and lower infection. Your overall energy increases.
In One to Five Years
In one year, your risk of heart disease drops to half that of a smoker. In two years, your risk of a heart attack drops to near normal. In five years, your risk of a stroke is the same as the risk of a non-smoker. The lung cancer death rate for former pack-a-day smokers decreases by almost half. There is now half the risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder cancer. Risk of cervical cancer is the same as a non-smoker.
In 10 Years
Lung cancer death rate is like that of a person who doesn’t smoke and your body replaces the precancerous cells. The risk of pancreatic cancer is about the same as a non-smoker. The risk of developing smoking-related cancer is almost the same as a non-smoker. In fact, now both diet and smoking cause 60% of cancers.
After 15 Years
The risk of heart disease is similar to person who has never smoked. The risk of death is also similar to a non-smoker. You’re now officially a non-smoker.
If you’re a longtime smoker, quitting on the spot might be impossible. The chemicals in your brain make you feel like you can’t live without a cigarette. In the end, you do have a choice, and you don’t have to do it alone. Armed with the knowledge of how your body reacts from mere minutes to long years can help you decide to quit smoking.