Explore the health benefits of quitting smoking
Curious how long nicotine stays in your body? What types of nicotine withdrawal symptoms you'll have? Want to find out how many tobacco-free days it will take for your body to recuperate and no longer be at risk of the dangers of smoking? Check out the health-improvement timeline.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and committed to tackling global challenges around good health.
Time since stopping smoking | Health benefits |
|---|---|
Within a day | Almost all nicotine will be out of the bloodstream. Levels of carbon monoxide in the blood will drop and more oxygen will reach the heart and muscles. |
Within a week | The lung’s natural cleaning system will start to recover and become better at removing mucus, tar and dust from the lungs. There will be higher blood levels of protective antioxidants (such as vitamin C). |
Within two months | There will be less coughing and wheezing. The immune system will have started to recover. Blood will be less thick and sticky and blood flow to the hands and feet will improve. The body will be better at healing cuts and wounds. |
Within six months | Lungs will no longer produce the extra phlegm smoking causes. |
After a year | Lungs will be healthier and breathing will be easier, making it easier to exercise. |
Within two to five years | There will be a large drop in risk of heart attack and stroke; this risk will continue to gradually decrease. |
Within five years | Risk of cervical cancer will return to the same as for a woman who has never smoked. |
After 10 years | Risk of lung cancer will be markedly lower than that of a continuing smoker; this risk will continue to decline (provided the disease is not already present). |
After 15 years | Risk of heart attack and stroke will be close to that of a person who has never smoked. |
Why Wait?
Quitting smoking or vaping can be difficult, but support is available.
Quitline at 13QUIT (13 78 48) is a free and confidential service that provides advice and assistance tailored to your particular needs. Trained counsellors are available 7 days a week to offer support and encouragement.
Doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals can provide advice on replacement therapy and other treatments. You can also find additional support and information through:
Book an appointment with Health and Medical Services
Get in contact with us or book an appointment to see how we can help.
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