What Happens After You Quit Smoking . . .

Panic sets in... do I have another pack?

Within 20 Minutes...

• Blood pressures drops
• Pulse rate drops to normal
• Body temperature of hand and feet increases to normal

Those look like Camel Wides. Always guaranteed to illicit a cough or two.

Within 8 hours...

• Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
• Oxygen level in blood increases to normal

Pretty colors, especially the black soot.

Within 24 hours...

• Chance of heart attack decreases

Wow... what a bargain! All those chemicals added in for free!

Within 48 hours...

• Nerve endings start regrowing
• Ability to smell and taste is enhanced

No, this is not my dog. No, I do not know who's dog it is. Yes, the picture probably is 'wrong' but also notice, the cigarette is not lit. Also realize that dogs and cats of smokers, living in smoking homes, develop cancers of the nose, throat and lungs... hmmm... just like 2nd hand smokers do.

Within 2 weeks to 3 months...

• Circulation improves
• Walking becomes easier
• Lung function increases up to 30%

Remember that panic I mentioned?

Within 1 to 9 months...

• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease
• Cilia regrow in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean lungs and reduce infection
• Body's overall energy increases

Smoking, a sign of high life and grace.

Within 1 year...

• Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker

Within 5 years...

• Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker

I loved kissing an ash tray.

Within 10 years...

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

Within 15 years...

• Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmokers

Just in case you missed it the first time...

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