Mari "Tak Nak"

Source: American Cancer Society, Inc., 1599 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-4251; phone: (800) 227-2345

Within 20 Minutes
Blood pressure drops to a level close to that before the last cigarette
Temperature of hands and feet increases to normal

Within 8 Hours
Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal

Within 24 Hours
Chance of heart attack decreases

Within 2 Weeks to 3 Months
Circulation improves
Lung function increases up to 30%

Within 1 to 9 Months
Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease
Cilia regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, reduce infection

Within 1 Year
Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's

Within 5 Years
Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting

Within 10 Years
Lung cancer death rate about half that of a continuing smoker's
Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases

Within 15 Years
Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker's

Source: The World Almanac 2004