Health gains of quitting smoking

• 2 hours: Nicotine is eliminated from the body, and first signs of abstinence appear.
• 12 hours: Carbon monoxide blood level drops to normal, lung function improves, and shortness of breath disappears.
• 2 days: Ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
• 12 weeks: Blood circulation improves, and it makes walking and running easier.
• 3-9 months: Cough, shortness of breath and sinus congestion decrease; lung function increases up to 10%.
• 5 years: Risk of heart attack is half that of a smoker.

Negative effects of quitting smoking

During first weeks of abstinence, “quitters” might have some withdrawal symptoms, including sore throat, coughing and frequent colds. Studies show that people with severe withdrawal symptoms are more likely to smoke again. Therefore, it is important to provide former smokers with information on possible problems.

The results of the study, involving 174 former smokers, have been published in the Tobacco Control Journal, the supplement to the British Medical Journal. Researchers were analysing withdrawal symptoms during first weeks of abstinence. Evidence suggests that people trying to quit smoking are likely to get cold and report coghing, sneezing and pain while swallowing. Sore throat is a frequent complaint.

Six weeks later such symptoms become less noticeable. Scientists suppose that cutting back on smoking can temporarily supress the immune system. Furthermore, smoking may have provided some antimicrobial effect too.