Table 4.

Short and Long Term Benefits of Tobacco Smoking Cessation

Short-Term Benefits

24 hours after quitting: chance of a heart attack decreases

48 hours after quitting: ability to smell and taste is enhanced

2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: circulation improves, walking becomes easier, and lung function improves

Long-Term Benefits

1 year after quitting: excess risk of coronary heart disease is halved

5 years after quitting: stroke risk reduces to that of a never-smoker

10 years after quitting: lung cancer risk is halved

15 years after quitting: risk of coronary heart disease and death is similar to that of a never-smoker

Source: United States Department of Health and Human Services. The health benefits of smoking cessation (131).