Benefits of Quitting Smoking: What Changes Over Time

Quitting smoking improves health at any age, even after many years of smoking. Benefits begin soon after the last cigarette and continue to accumulate for years.

Early changes

• Within minutes: heart rate begins to fall.
• Within 24 hours: nicotine in the blood falls to zero.
• Within several days: carbon monoxide in the blood drops to the level of someone who does not smoke.

Over the first year

Coughing and shortness of breath often decrease over the following months as the respiratory system begins to recover from ongoing smoke exposure.

Heart and blood vessels

Within about 1–2 years, the risk of heart attack drops sharply compared with continuing to smoke. Cardiovascular risk continues to decline over subsequent years.

Cancer risk

Quitting reduces the risk of many smoking-related cancers. For example, added lung-cancer risk falls substantially over the long term, and risks of cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, bladder, esophagus and kidney also decline.

Pregnancy and family health

Quitting before or during pregnancy benefits both the pregnant person and baby. Stopping smoking also reduces secondhand-smoke exposure for family members, coworkers and others.

Breathing and COPD

Quitting reduces the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For people who already have COPD, quitting slows the loss of lung function and can reduce respiratory symptoms.

It is never “too late”

People who stop smoking benefit even if they have smoked heavily or already have smoking-related disease. Earlier cessation brings greater lifetime benefit, but quitting at any age improves health compared with continuing to smoke.

Financial benefits vary

The amount saved depends on local cigarette prices and how much a person previously smoked. Instead of using an outdated fixed dollar estimate, multiply your current daily or weekly tobacco spending by the time you remain smoke-free.

Related guide

Ready to stop? Read How to Quit Smoking: An Evidence-Based Plan.

Editorial source

CDC: Benefits of Quitting Smoking

This article provides general education and does not replace individualized medical advice.