What Happens When You Stop Smoking?

Around 14 percent of adults in the UK are unable or unwilling to stop smoking despite the well-known health risks.

But you might be surprised just how quickly your body will start feeling the benefits after you stop smoking.

What happens to your body when you quit smoking?

One Day Smoke-free

Your pulse rate will return to normal within just 20 minutes, according to NHS Smokefree.

After 8 hours, oxygen levels will start to recover as carbon monoxide levels plummet.

Two Days Smoke-free

One of the first things you may consciously notice is the return of your sense of taste and smell.

Food will start to taste more vivid as your taste buds are reawakened.

Meanwhile, carbon monoxide will be eliminated and your lungs will begin to clear of mucus.

Three Days Smoke-free

By this point, you may start to find that your breathing improves and your energy levels increase.

Your nicotine levels will also be depleted, which can lead to nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as moodiness and irritability.

This is why many people prefer to stop smoking with the aid of a vape.

E-cigarettes allow you to gradually reduce your nicotine intake over time.

1-3 Months Smoke-free

Your lungs will begin to heal, improving their capacity by up to 10 percent and further reducing coughing and shortness of breath.

Your circulation will also have improved considerably by now.

One Year Smoke-free

Your risk of heart disease will now roughly half that of a current smoker. The risk will continue to decline past this point.

10 Years Smoke-free

Your risk of developing lung cancer drops to half that of a current smoker.

15 Years Smoke-free

Your risk of a heart attack will be the same as someone who has never smoked tobacco.

Where does vaping fit into all this?

If you want to stop smoking, there are plenty of options out there, from nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to hypnotherapy.

However, a study published last year found that e-cigarettes were three-times more effective than NRT at helping smokers quit.

Read more: How To Manage Your Nicotine Cravings

Header Image by Jose Aragones on Unsplash