How it works
Money saved is (pack price ÷ cigarettes per pack) × cigarettes per day × days since you quit. Prices start at a typical figure for your country and you can change them.
Tar is estimated at 10 mg per cigarette. Life regained uses the widely quoted estimate that each cigarette shortens life by about 11 minutes (Shaw et al., BMJ 2000). It is an average, not a personal prediction.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms timeline
| When | What many people feel |
|---|---|
| 4 to 24 hours | Cravings start, irritability, restlessness |
| Days 1 to 3 | Cravings and irritability peak, trouble concentrating, headaches, hunger |
| Week 1 to 2 | Poor sleep, low mood or anxiety, coughing as the lungs clear |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Most physical symptoms fade; triggers like coffee or stress still bring cravings |
| 1 to 3 months | Occasional cravings, energy and breathing noticeably better |
| Smoking 10 a day | Per year |
|---|---|
| India, ₹180 per 10 | about ₹65,700 |
| United States, $9 per 20 | about $1,640 |
| United Kingdom, £16 per 20 | about £2,920 |
| Australia, A$40 per 20 | about A$7,300 |
Common questions
What happens to your body when you quit smoking?
Heart rate and blood pressure fall within about 20 minutes. Carbon monoxide levels return to normal within 12 hours. Circulation and lung function improve over 2 to 12 weeks, coughing eases over 1 to 9 months, and heart disease risk halves after about a year.
How much money will I save if I quit smoking?
Divide the pack price by the cigarettes in a pack, multiply by how many you smoke a day, then by 365. Ten a day at $9 for 20 is about $4.50 a day, or about $1,640 a year.
What are the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal?
Common symptoms are strong cravings, irritability, anxiety, low mood, restlessness, trouble concentrating, poor sleep, increased appetite, headaches and a cough as the lungs clear. They are uncomfortable but not dangerous, and they fade with time.
What happens after 3 days without smoking?
By day 3 nicotine has largely left your body, so cravings and irritability are often at their strongest. Breathing usually starts to feel easier as the airways relax, and taste and smell keep improving.
How long does nicotine withdrawal last?
Cravings and irritability are usually strongest in the first 3 days and fade over 2 to 4 weeks. Occasional cravings can come back for months, often triggered by habits like coffee or drinking.
When does lung function improve after quitting?
Lung function and circulation start improving within 2 weeks to 3 months. Coughing and shortness of breath usually decrease over 1 to 9 months as the lungs clear mucus.
Is it worth quitting smoking at any age?
Yes. People who quit at any age gain years of life compared with those who keep smoking, and the benefits to heart and lungs begin within days.
What helps people quit smoking?
Nicotine replacement, prescription medicines and free stop-smoking services roughly double or triple the chance of quitting compared with willpower alone. Ask a pharmacist or doctor what is available where you live.