While quitting smoking will reduce your risk of developing cancer and heart disease in the longer term, there are other benefits of quitting you will notice more quickly.

Within two hours of stopping smoking:

The nicotine is out of your system. The by-products may take a few days to leave your body.

Within six hours of stopping smoking:

Your heartbeat slows to normal and your blood pressure goes down

Within 24 hours of stopping smoking:

The carbon monoxide is out of your system and your lungs work better.

Within two days of stopping smoking:

Your taste buds come alive and your sense of smell returns.

Within weeks of stopping smoking.

The phlegm, which has built up in your lungs, starts to loosen and you cough it up.

Within two months of stopping smoking:

The blood flow improves to your hands and feet.

After 12 months of not smoking:

Your risk of sudden death from heart attack is almost half that of smokers.

After 5 years of not smoking

That risk is almost the same as for non­smokers.

After 10 years of not smoking

Risk of lung cancer is about half that of a smoker.

As you can see the benefits begin as soon as you stop smoking and its never too late to stop. Even if you already have heart or lung disease stopping smoking will improve your health and prognosis.