FAQs
- How quickly does my body start recovering?
You’ll notice changes almost instantly!- 20 minutes: Heart rate and blood pressure drop.
- 8 hours: Carbon monoxide levels fall.
- 48 hours: Nicotine leaves your body.
- 2–12 weeks: Circulation improves.
- 3–9 months: Lung function improves noticeably.
You can check out our Health Tracker to see what other health benefits you’ll experience.
- Will I feel worse before I start to feel better?
Possibly! But only for a short time as you learn how to manage your withdrawal symptoms. Most withdrawal symptoms will peak between weeks 2-4 and then start to improve.Common early symptoms:- Irritability
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Strong cravings
- Coughing more – this isn’t damage, it’s your lungs clearing out.
- When will my breathing improve?
Many people notice:- Less wheezing within weeks
- Easier breathing on stairs within 1–3 months
- Better stamina within a few months
If you work a physical job, this can make a noticeable difference.
- Will I gain weight?
Nicotine in cigarettes helps suppress your appetite, so when you quit, your appetite may increase.But this isn’t true for everyone and shouldn’t be a reason to stop you from trying to quit smoking.Weight gain happens because:- Food replaces cigarettes
- Taste improves
- Metabolism adjusts
It’s manageable with simple swaps and staying active.
Even with some weight gain, quitting is far better for your health.
- Will I sleep better?Yes! Once withdrawal settles.Without realising it, nicotine disrupts sleep and after quitting, many people report:
- Deeper sleep
- Waking less
- Feeling more rested
- Will my heart health improve?
Yes – your risk of heart attack starts dropping within weeks.After 1 year smoke-free, your heart disease risk is roughly half that of a smoker.You can see what other health benefits you’ll experience using our Tracker. - Will my risk of cancer decrease?
Yes! The longer you stay cigarette-free, the more your risk drops.After 10 years, your risk of lung cancer is about half that of someone who continues smoking. - I’ve smoked for decades – is it too late to quit?
No.Benefits happen at any age.People in their 40s, 50s, and 60s still see major improvements in health and life expectancy.It’s never wasted effort and you’ll never regret stopping! - Will my finances improve?
Absolutely! Depending on how much you smoke, you could save hundreds or thousands of pounds per year – as smoking just two packets of cigarettes a week at £15.20 adds up to over £1,500 a year!Remember it’s not just the cost of a packet of cigarettes you’ll save on, its also things like- lighters and lighter fluids
- gums and sprays to mask the smell
- clothes and furniture that need replacing because they smell of smoke
- trips to the dentist due to a decreased risk of gum disease
All of which adds up and could be used for other things like saving for a family holiday, buying a car, planning some home improvements, going towards a season ticket or hobby, or even just to help make paying your bills that bit easier.
We’ve created a handy calculator so you can start planning what you’ll spend your savings on.
- What’s the biggest change people notice?
Most say:- Better breathing
- More energy
- Fewer chest infections
- Not planning life around cigarettes
- Feeling in control again
If you think you’re ready to give stopping smoking a try, check out the local services available to you.
