No matter how old you are or how long you’ve smoked, quitting can help you live longer and be healthier. It will be one of the best decisions you make for your health.

Within 20 minutes of smoking that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years.

In 20 minutes:

•Blood pressure drops to normal

•Pulse rate drops to normal

•Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal

In 8 hours:

•Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal

•Oxygen level in blood increases to normal

In 24 hours:

•Chance of heart attack decreases

In 48 hours:

•Nerve endings start regrowing

•Ability to smell and taste is enhanced

In 2 weeks to 3 months:

•Circulation improves

•Walking becomes easier

•Lung function increases up to 30%

In 1 to 9 months:

•Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decrease

•Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection

•Body’s overall energy increases

In 1 year:

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

In 10 years:

•Lung cancer death rate for average former smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half

•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’s

In 15 years:

•Lung cancer death rate similar to that of nonsmokers

•Precancerous cells are replaced

•Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases

•Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker

The Good News

•Quitting tobacco use is hard, but you can do it.

•Quitting can reverse the damage that smoking has had on your health and reduce your chance of dying from smoking-related disease.

•You will experience immediate health benefits when you stop smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco.

•It only takes 20 minutes to start reversing the negative effects of smoking.

•It’s never too late to quit and start improving your health.

When you’re ready to quit smoking, we’re ready to help.

The Maine QuitLink can make it easier, and increase your chances of quitting for good. You are 2-3 times more likely to quit with the Maine QuitLink than when you try to quit on your own.