Everyone knows there are health benefits to quitting smoking. What most people don't realize is how fast some of the changes in the body occur once you give up the deadly habit.  Here's the list, courtesy of Smoke Free International:


20 minutes after quitting smoking:
            Blood pressure & pulse rate decreases to normal.

8 hours after quitting:
            Nicotine and carbon monoxide level in blood decrease by ½.
            Oxygen level in blood increases to normal.

24 hours:
            Body is clear of carbon monoxide. Mucus & smoking debris start to clear from lungs.
            Chance of heart attack decreases.

48 hours:
            Nerve endings start to re-grow.
            Nicotine is eliminated from the body.
            Ability to smell and taste is improved.

2 weeks to 3 months:
            Circulation improves.
            Walking becomes easier.
            Lung function increases up to 30%.

`3 to 9 months:
            Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath all decrease.
            Cilia re-grow in lungs, increasing ability to “clean” lungs & reducing likelihood of infection.
            Body’s overall energy increases.

1 year after quitting:
            Excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker.

5 years:
            5 to 15 years after quitting, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who never smoked.

10 years:
            Risk of lung cancer decreases.
            Risk of other cancers decrease (mouth, throat, esophagus, kidney, etc.)

15 years after quitting smoking:
            Risk of heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked!