People who stop smoking can live longer, regardless of the age at which they quit. When you stop smoking your body starts to change for the better immediately: – In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back down to normal. – In 8 hours the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal. – In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased. All nicotine will have left your body. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level. – In 72 hours your bronchial tubes will relax, and your energy levels will increase. – In 2 weeks your circulation will increase, and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks. – In three to nine months coughs, wheezing and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%. – In 1 year your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half. – In 5 years your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker. – In 10 years your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker. – In 15 years your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.