Body Heals As Soon As You Kick Butts

When Jonathan Watson quit smoking, he found he could breathe easier. And it wasn't just because the nicotine was leaving his body -- the 25-year-old student saw his mother's health deteriorating and knew he'd spared himself a similar fate.

"My mom has smoked since she was 17, and now looks at least 15 years older than she is, has a terrible cough all the time and gets sick quite often," Watson said. "When I thought about it, I really didn't want to end up in the same condition."

Surveys have shown that about 70 percent of adult smokers want to quit, and almost nine of 10 smokers said they want to quit because of health concerns.

Feeling Refreshed

Carissa McAtee, a loan consultant in Dallas, said quitting was her top priority.

"In the moment, smoking takes the edge off any situation," McAtee said. "But after a day of heavy smoking, it is impossible to wake up feeling refreshed. When I smoke, it is almost impossible to work out. It has only been a week since my last cigarette, and I already feel the difference when I exercise. I don't breathe as hard, and I can go a little longer before I feel like my heart is going to burst out of my chest."

Studies show that within 48 hours after quitting, a person's ability to taste and smell is greatly improved. After 72 hours, breathing becomes easier. After two to 12 weeks, circulation improves. By the 10-year mark, the body has repaired most of the damage smoking caused.

What Causes The Damage?

U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona is trying to drive home the message that kicking the habit can mean significant positive changes.

"We've known for decades that smoking is bad for your health, but this report shows that it's even worse than we knew," Carmona said in a 2004 report. "The toxins from cigarette smoke go everywhere the blood flows. I'm hoping this new information will help motivate people to quit smoking and convince young people not to start in the first place."

Of the 4,700 chemical compounds in cigarette smoke, 60 are considered carcinogenic. Eleven of these are seriously toxic. One is acetone, a flammable, colorless liquid used as a solvent in products such as nail polish remover.

Other elements include ammonia -- which is said to add flavor but also helps the body absorb nicotine -- arsenic, benzene, benzoapryrene, butane, cadmium, formaldehyde, lead, propylene glycol and turpentine.

The surgeon general's report estimated that 440,000 American die from smoking-related illnesses each year. Men, on average, shorten their lifespan by 13.2 years and females by 14.5 years. But, again, some of the damage can be reversed.

Changes Start In First Minutes

"Within minutes and hours after smokers inhale that last cigarette, their bodies begin a series of changes that continue for years," Carmona said. "Among these health improvements are a drop in heart rate, improved circulation, and reduced risk of heart attack, lung cancer and stroke."

Smoking also can affect the body's ability to produce collagen, so sports injuries like damaged tendons or ligaments heal at a slower rate, unless people quit.

Besides improving the body, quitting can improve how others view you.

Psychological Factors

A 1998 psychological study by scientists at Ball State University examined the increase in smoking among college students. The study evaluated whether the growth was associated with a positive self-image.

Researchers asked regular, occasional and nonsmokers to rate 18 attributes that may be associated with smoking. All three groups generally agreed that smokers were less desirable as a date and less attractive while smoking.

The nonsmokers also said they viewed smokers as less sophisticated and less mature.

But social smoking appears to be a common thread among young adults. In 2004, 22 percent of high school students were regular smokers. Roughly 90 percent of smokers began before the age of 21.

McAtee said she had tried a few times in high school but started smoking regularly when she entered college.

"It was a very stressful time, and smoking outside of my dorm turned out to be an easy way to meet people with similar problems," McAtee said. "At first, I only smoked when I was with my smoker friends, or when I was having a drink, but before I knew it, I was addicted."