12 Hours – Almost all of the nicotine has been metabolised
24 Hours – Blood levels of carbon-monoxide have dropped dramatically
5 Days – Most nicotine by-products have been removed – sense of taste and smell improve
6 Weeks – Risk of wound infection after surgery is substantially reduced.
3 Months – Cilia begin to recover and lung function improves
1 Year – Risk of coronary heart disease is halved
10 Years – Risk of lung cancer is less than half that of a continuing smoker and continues to decline.
15 Years – Risk of coronary heart disease is the same as that of a non-smoker.
After 10 to 15 years the body functions at the same level as people who have never smoked.