One of the many excuses for not stopping smoking is that the health damage has already been done and that the damage cannot be reversed.
The following shows just how quickly you can benefit from stopping smoking:
After you smoke your last cigarette:
Within 20 minutes your blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature will return to its normal values.
Within 24 hours your risk for having a heart attack begins to decrease.
Within 2 days your sense of smell and taste will begin to return. Food will taste and smell like it should.
Within 3 days your body is “free” of nicotine.
Within 3 weeks both your body and brain will no longer be dependent on nicotine.
Within 3 months your blood circulation and lung function has significantly improved.
Within one year you will have a large reduction in risk for both heart diseases and cancers.
Within 15 years your health risks are similar to those of a non-tobacco user.
Black and White
Why is quitting so hard?
We all know the health risks of smoking, but that doesn’t make it any easier to kick the habit.
Whether you’re an occasional teen smoker or a lifetime pack-a-day smoker, quitting can be really tough.
