The benefits of quitting smoking are many. According to the National Cancer Institute, the benefits of quitting begin immediately after quitting. These benefits include improvements in heart rate and blood pressure. Within hours of quitting, the level of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream starts declining. Carbon monoxide is found in cigarette smoke. When it is in the bloodstream, it reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Within weeks of quitting, former smokers have improved circulation and do not wheeze or cough as much as they did when they were smokers. The capacity of the lungs improves significantly after quitting smoking.
Three Months
Within three months of quitting smoking, former smokers will experience an improved function of their lungs. Lungs function by oxygenating blood. This improvement can begin as early as two weeks after quitting. Along with the improved lung function, there is a decreased risk of lung infections.
Nine Months
Lung function can improve by 5 percent within nine months for people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to Johns Hopkins University. This improvement can be seen as early as one month after quitting smoking. Other benefits that occur within the one- to nine-month time frame include improvements in shortness of breath and coughing.
Five Years
Within five years of quitting smoking, former smokers will see a reduced risk of oral cancer and cancer in the esophagus cut in half. The risk continues to decline with a continuation of the cessation of smoking.
Ten Years
Within 10 years of quitting smoking, former smokers have a risk of developing lung cancer that is 30 to 50 percent lower than what the risk would have been had they continued smoking. The risk of lung cancer continues to decline with the continued cessation of smoking.
Fifteen Years
Within 15 years of quitting smoking, former smokers have the same risk of dying from any cause as the risk a person who has never smoked faces.
