Living and Feeling Well

Smoke Free Timeline

  • 20 Minutes

    Your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal

  • 1 Hour

    Your body starts to get rid of tobacco toxins.

  • 8 Hours

    The amount of carbon monoxide and nicotine in your blood will have halved.

  • 24 Hours

    Your body will have got rid of carbon monoxide.

    Your lungs will start to clear.

    Your chance of having a heart attack starts to decrease.

  • 48 Hours

    Your body is now nicotine free and your taste and smell will improve.

    Your nerve endings start to re-grow and you will find walking easier.

  • 72 Hours

    Your breathing will be easier and you will have more energy.

  • 2-12 Weeks

    Your circulation and lung function will be better and you will find running easier.

  • 3 - 9 Months

    You should notice a decrease in coughing, sinus congestion, tiredness and shortness of breath. You are also less likely to have a chest infection. Your lung function will now have improved by 10%.

  • 1 Year

    Your risk of a heart attack has now fallen to half of that of a smoker.

  • 10 Years

    Your risk of lung cancer has now halved – and the longer you are smoke free the lower the risk will be.

  • 15 Years

    Your risk of a heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.