Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of  changes that continues for years.

20 Minutes After Quitting   
Your heart rate drops.

12 Hours After Quitting
Oxygen level in blood increases to normal.

2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting
Chance of a heart attack decreases and lung function improves.

1 to 9 Months After Quitting
Coughing and shortness of breath decrease

1 Year After Quitting
Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.

Between 5 - 15 Years After Quitting
Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker's.

10 Years After Quitting
Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker's.

15 Years After Quitting
Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker's.