Time since last cigarette

 Benefits

 20 mins

 Blood pressure and pulse go back to normal.

 8 hours

 Oxygen levels return to normal.
 Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels fall

 24 hours

 The body expels carbon monoxide.
 The lungs begin to clear itself of mucus and tar.

 48 hours

 Nicotine fully expelled from the body.
 Greatly improved taste and smell.
 Skin colour much improved and eyes look brighter.

 72 hours

 Relaxed bronchial tubes, therefore breathing is easier.
 Increased energy levels.

 1-2 weeks

 Concentration returns to roughtly the level of a
 non-smoker.

 2 - 12 weeks

 Improved circulation.
 Improved sense of well-being as dopamine levels
 return to normal.

 3 - 9 months

 Lung efficiency improved by 10%.
 Fewer coughs and wheezes therefore..

 1 year

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

 10 years

 Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a 
 smoker.

 15 years

 Risk of heart disease or heart attack falls to about the
 same as someone who has never smoked.