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It’s Too Late to Get any Health Benefits

Maybe reading this will change your mind...

Here are the changes that occur in the human body when a person quits smoking.

20 minutes:

  • Blood pressure drops back to normal.
  • Pulse rate slows down to normal.
  • The temperature of the hands and feet warms up to normal.

8 hours:

  • The amount of nicotine and carbon monoxide in the blood is halved.
  • Cell oxygenation becomes normal.

24 hours:

  • Carbon monoxide is completely eliminated from the organism.
  • The lungs begin to reject smoke residues.

48 hours:

  • Nicotine is completely eradicated from the system.
  • The nerve ends begin to regenerate.
  • The senses of taste and smell improve.

72 hours:

  • The bronchial tubes relax, making it easier to breathe.
  • Lung capacity increases.
  • Energy level improves.

2 weeks to 3 months:

  • Blood circulation improves.
  • Walking becomes easier.
  • Lung operation improves by up to 30%.
  • In the case of a pregnant woman who quits during the first three months of her pregnancy, the chances of having an underweight baby are the same as for a woman who has never smoked.

1 to 9 months:

  • Coughing, nasal congestion, fatigue and breathlessness all decrease.
  • The voice becomes clearer.
  • The vibrating hairs in the respiratory route regenerate and become better able to eliminate waste, which in turn helps protect against infection.
  • The body becomes more energetic.

1 year:

  • The risk of cardiovascular disease is halved.
  • For a woman, in the first few years after quitting, the risk of contracting cervical cancer declines to the same level as for women who have never smoked.

5 years:

  • The risk of contracting cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is halved. For average smokers (one pack per day), the death rate from lung cancer is also halved.
  • Between 5 and 15 years after quitting, the risk of stroke declines to the same level as for non-smokers.

10 years:

  • The death rate from lung cancer is similar to that of non-smokers.
  • Precancerous cells are replaced by healthy cells.
  • The risk of contracting cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder declines.

15 years:

  • The risk of heart attack is similar to that of non-smokers.

I need help

You would like to have support from smoking cessation professionals to help you quit smoking, but you don’t know which service to turn to? Learn more about the I QUIT NOW services and their free personalized support via online help, by phone, in person or by text message.

HELP ONLINE

You want to quit smoking at you own pace and keep track of your progress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Sign up to the I QUIT NOW online help for free and discover our everyday life tips and experiential exercises to help let the cravings pass.

HELP BY PHONE

1-866-527-7383

Want to speak with a specialist to help you quit smoking?

Call the I QUIT NOW helpline. It’s free!
Monday to Thursday: 8 A.M. to 9 P.M.
Friday: 8 A.M. to 8 P.M.

*** For Quebec residents only ***

HELP IN PERSON

QUIT SMOKING CENTRES

Want to meet with a specialist to help you quit smoking?

Find the Quit Smoking Centre nearest you!

HELP BY TEXT MESSAGE – SERVICE OFFERED ONLY IN FRENCH

SMAT

Unfortunately, the English service is no longer available. However, you can subscribe to the French
program if you want to receive tips and advice on quitting smoking by text message.

Sign up for free!

SMAT


*** For Quebec residents only ***