The body never recovers 100% from the damage done from smoking.  But, improvements in your health begin within minutes of quitting even if you have used tobacco for years. The earlier you quit, the more likely it is that you will overcome the risks caused by smoking, but quitting at any age, greatly improves your health- allowing you to breathe easier, exercise more, taste food and smell better.  Just see what happens after you've quit smoking.

20 minutes after quitting : Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.

12 hours after quitting : The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

2 weeks to 3 months after quitting : Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.

1 to 9 months after quitting : Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.

1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.

5 years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.

10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.

15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker's (19).