Smoking is an addictive habit which can cause harmful consequences to an individual's health. Once a person has started, his health begins to deteriorate. Although it is not impossible, it may be difficult to start once a person has started to smoke.

Nicotine is the addictive agent that is found in cigarettes. Those who become dependent on this drug will need a dose of it on a daily basis to feel "normal". Nicotine is only one of the many dangerous components that cigarettes are made of.

Cigarettes contain different metal and even radioactive compounds that are carcinogenic. A dangerous gas called carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream and replaces the oxygen. This means that less oxygen is able to reach the brain.

First Two Hours

Within the first couple of hours after you quit smoking, your blood pressure and heart rate will decrease to normal levels. In addition, your circulation significantly improves, and you might notice a warming sensation in your hands & feet.

After Eight Hours

Carbon monoxide is among the lethal substances contained in cigarette smoke. Thus, smokers have toxic levels of this substance in their blood. However, once you quit, the carbon monoxide in your blood begins to drop in just 8 hours. As your body's carbon monoxide decreases, your oxygen increases to optimal levels.

Twenty-Four Hours After

At 24 hours after cleansing your body of cigarette smoke, your risk for heart attacks considerably decreases.

After 48 Hours

At 48 hours in the timeline, you begin to experience the worst symptoms of withdrawal. A nervous regeneration takes effect, initially reducing your sense of smell and taste, but then later improving them from this point forward.

At 2-3 Weeks

Within 2-3 weeks after quitting, your circulation will show significant improvement. You will be able to perform physical activities and strenuous exercises with ease. Covering long distances on foot will no longer be a problem. The function of your lungs will also greatly improve, with coughing and phlegm reduced.

At 1-9 Months

Lung regeneration occurs in the next 1-9 months of your quit smoking timeline. The tiny cilia cells present in your lung structure start to develop and function again. You will experience a general improvement in your breathing, and your sinuses will become healthy once more. At this point, you will feel more alert and less tired.

The 1 Year Mark

In about a year, your risk factor for cardiac disease or heart attack is decreased by 50% in comparison to when you were still smoking.

In the Long Run

In the long term, here are some points to consider: After 5-15 years, you are still as much at risk of getting a stroke as someone who has not smoked in his/her entire life. After 10 years, you have a lesser risk of getting lung cancer or other types of cancer (e.g. pancreas, esophagus, bladder, kidneys, throat, mouth, etc.) that usually attack smokers. In 15 years, your risk of experiencing a heart problem (coronary disease or heart attack) is reduced to the level of a nonsmoker.