Smoke stop So long the regeneration of the body lasts

What happens 20 minutes to 15 years after the last cigarette

Nicotine addiction is not a bad habit. Tobacco use is one of the most common causes of premature death in Germany. Every seventh German dies from the deadly consequences of smoking. At the age of 25 or 70: If you quit smoking, you will benefit from the first recovery effects within 20 minutes. We show what happens in the body after you have parted with the last cigarette.

Tobacco use has innumerable negative effects on body and mind. It is a major risk factor for cancer and heart disease, stroke, smoker's cough or smoking legs. For a long-term cessation of smoking to succeed, above all, it requires a firm will and consistency. The cancer society "American Cancer Society" provides information on what happens in the body after smoking the last cigarette, and why smoking is worthwhile at any age.

There are good reasons to stop smoking immediately. The first positive effects occur already after 20 minutes! (Image: Oleksandra Voinova / fotolia.com)

So our body recovers from the constant smoke of tobacco

The following list shows how our body gradually recovers to its normal state. Stop it worthwhile:

• 20 minutes after quitting smoking: The heart rate and blood pressure return to normal levels. The blood circulation improves.
• 12 hours later: The carbon monoxide content in the blood decreases and the oxygen content increases.
• After 24 hours: The risk of having a heart attack begins to decline.
• Two days after quitting: Odor and taste improve. Fragrances smell more intense and the food tastes better again.
• Two weeks to three months afterwards: The circulation is more resilient again and the lung function increases.
• One to nine months after the stop: Cough and shortness of breath decrease. The paranasal sinuses become freer. The cilia in the lungs resume their work and begin to transport the mucus from the lungs. The risk of infectious diseases is falling.
• One year without smoking: The risk of developing coronary heart disease is only half that of a smoker. The risk of suffering a heart attack also drops drastically.
• Five years later: The risk of cancer in the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder has been halved. The likelihood of getting cervical cancer is now at the level of non-smokers. The risk of stroke also falls to the level of non-smokers.
• Ten years after quitting: The risk of dying from lung cancer is only half as high as at the start of smoking cessation. In addition, the risk of developing cancer of the larynx and pancreas decreases.
• 15 years smoke free: The likelihood of developing coronary heart disease is the same as in lifelong non-smokers.

Other general benefits

According to the American Cancer Society, smoking cessation has other benefits:

• diabetes: After quitting smoking, the blood vessels start to work better. This helps the heart and lungs and reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
• Life expectancy: Smokers live ten years shorter than non-smokers on average. Those who stop smoking before the age of 40 reduce their risk by 90 percent to prematurely die from illnesses caused by smoking.
• It is never too lateAlthough it is better to stop as soon as possible, giving up at any age can bring back lost years of life.

Immediate effects after a few days

In addition to the health benefits, after the last cigarette in a short time, other benefits that make everyday life more pleasant:

• You save money: Who smokes four boxes a week, saves over 1200 euros a year.
• The food tastes better.
• Your sense of smell improves.
• Breath, hair and clothes smell better.
• Teeth and nails cease to turn yellow.
• Everyday activities such as climbing stairs or housework do not lead to shortness of breath so quickly.
• Premature wrinkling and other negative effects on appearance are reduced.

Help with stopping

So there are many reasons to stop smoking immediately. About every second smoker would like to quit - this is how the smoking cessation succeeds: You will find help in the article "quitting smoking". (Vb)