Written or medically reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Policy.

Updated May 19, 2015.

What happens inside our bodies after we stub out that last cigarette? Have all of the years of tobacco use caused too much damage for quitting to be of any benefit? Not at all. The human body is amazingly resilient.

Within the first 20 minutes of quitting, the healing process begins, and smoke-free benefits will continue to improve your health and quality of life for years.

It is never too late to quit smoking.


Use the links below to read about the physical healing that takes place when you quit smoking:

Quit Smoking Benefits:

The First Two Days

Two Weeks to Three Months

One to Nine Months

One to Two Years

Long Term Benefits - 5 to 15 Years

Get started now: Sign up for a free quit smoking email course to guide you through the process.

Check in at the support forum here at About.com Smoking Cessation to connect with others who have recently quit smoking.