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| RI Tobacco Control Program |
3 Capitol Hill, Room 408
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Phone: 401-222-3293
Fax: 401-222-4415
Contact: Seema Dixit |
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Tobacco Control Program
It only takes 20 minutes after you've smoked your last cigarette for your body to begin a series of beneficial changes. Just 20 minutes and you're already on your way to better health. Check out this timeline and see what's in store for you after you quit.
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20 minutes:
Blood pressure drops to normal; pulse rate drops to normal; increased circulation in hands |
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8 hours:
Oxygen level in your blood increases to normal; carbon monoxide level in your blood drops |
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24 hours:
Your chance for a heart attack has already gone down. |
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48 hours:
Your ability to smell and taste is already improved; walking is becoming easier. |
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2 weeks to 3 months:
Your circulation has improved. No more cold hands and cold feet. Your lung function has already increased up to 30%. |
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1 month to 9 months:
You'll notice that coughing, sinus congestion and shortness of breath have decreased dramatically. Cilia have re-grown in your lungs increasing your ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection. |
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1 year:
Your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half. |
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5 years:
Risk of stroke reduced to that of a nonsmoker. Risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and esophagus cut in half. Risk of lung cancer reduced in half compared to a smoker. |
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15 years:
Congratulations! Your risk for coronary heart disease and stroke is the same as for a lifelong nonsmoker. |
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