Amanda Dunbar thought the first cigarette she ever smoked was gross. But before long, she was addicted. Hear her story. Related Videos: Success Story: You Can Be A Quitter Too (Part 2 of 2) | HealthiNation www.youtube.com Quit Smoking Tip: What Happens When We Smoke | HealthiNation www.youtube.com Quit Smoking Tip: Set A Quit Day! | HealthiNation www.youtube.com Quit Smoking Tip: Stress & Withdrawal | HealthiNation www.youtube.com Quit Smoking Tip: Healthy Diets During Withdrawal | HealthiNation www.youtube.com TRANSCRIPT: How Quitting Affects the Body The body can begin healing almost immediately after a person quits smoking. The following timeline provides an example of the changes that are possible: 20 minutes after quitting, heart rate and blood pressure will decrease. 12 hours after quitting, carbon monoxide levels in the blood will drop to normal. One day after quitting, the risk of heart attack is decreased. Two days after quitting, the sense of smell and taste will begin to recover. Two to three weeks after quitting, lung function and circulation will improve, making walking and exercising easier. One to nine months after quitting, the smokers cough and shortness of breath should decrease as the lungs continue to recover. This reduces the risk of infection. Five years after quitting, the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat and esophagus is cut in half. The risk of stroke and heart disease decreases to that of a non-smoker. Ten years after quitting <b>…<b>