My Body - The benefits of quitting

See how quickly the benefits of quitting start to happen by using our interactive timeline.

What To Expect When You GO Smokefree

The first few days after you quit can be challenging but you'll be amazed at how quickly your body starts to recover. Nicotine withdrawal can make you feel very irritable and frustrated but this should start to ease after 48 hours.

Use our interactive timeline to see how your body improves after you stop smoking.

  • 20 minutes

    Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.

    … and you have saved 5.9p so far, but keep going …

  • 8 hours

    Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal.

    … £1.42 not much, but it's paid for the first NRT patch …

  • 24 hours

    Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.

    … and now you have saved £4.20 …

  • 48 hours

    There is no nicotine in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved.

    … £8.40 keep going the best is yet to come …

  • 72 hours

    Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.

    … and you have saved £12.60 in three days …

  • 2-12 weeks

    Your circulation improves.

    … and you have saved £117.00 in four weeks …

  • 3-9 months

    Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%.

    … and you have saved £766.50 in six months, which is a real bonus …

  • 5 years

    Risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.

    … after 5 years you could use a holiday, saving £7665.00 should cover it? …

  • 10 years

    Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.

    … after 10 years, even if they never went up in price, that's a saving of over £15,000 …

20 minutes

Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
… and you have saved 5.9p so far, but keep going …

8 hours

Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal. … £1.42 not much, but it's paid for the first NRT patch …

24 hours

Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. … and now you have saved £4.20 …

48 hours

There is no nicotine in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved. … £8.40 keep going the best is yet to come …

72 hours

Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase. … and you have saved £12.60 in three days …

2-12 weeks

Your circulation improves. … and you have saved £117.00 in four days …

3-9 months

Amend to "Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%."

5 years

Risk of heart attack falls about half that OD a smoker. … after 5 years you could use a holiday, saving £7665.00 should cover it? …

10 years

Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked. … after 10 years, even if they never went up in price, that's a saving of over £15,000 …

Ready to quit? Fight the cravings with nicotine replacement therapy like patches or gum

Need more information? Get a free DVD and support guide or download videos and guides to help you prepare to go smokefree.