Timeline of improvements

How quickly will things improve?

Various sources suggest that

• 20 minutes: Blood pressure returns to normal

• 8 hours: Carbon Monoxide levels reduce to near normal (Carbon Monoxide latches on to red blood cells in preference to oxygen) - So you'll begin to take in more oxygen

• 1 day: You've decreased your risk of heart attack significantly

• 2 days: Your sense of taste and smell should begin to come back

• 3 days: You should begin to notice that you're breathing more easily because your bronchial tubes are opening up, and your lung capacity increases

• 1 week: Cravings almost gone, and weaker

• 2 weeks: Your circulation will have begun to improve

• 12 weeks - You should be free of all cravings and any effects of withdrawal.

After a year the risk of heart disease will have reduced to 50%. After 5 years, you will have reduced your risk of stroke, and at 10 years your risk of lung cancer is halved.

If you quit before you're 35 then it will quickly be as if you never smoked.

Some resources for you:

https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/benefits-of-quitting-smoking-over-time.html

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-happens-when-you-quit-smoking

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317956