The facts about quitting smoking

(CNN) - The Great American Smoke out took place recently; a day dedicated to helping smokers quit.

Quitting smoking isn't easy. But the American Cancer Society reports smokers who kick the habit won't have to wait long to feel those health benefits.

• Within 20 minutes of one's stopping smoking one's heart rate and blood pressure actually go down.
• 12 hours after one stops smoking the carbon monoxide levels in one's blood decrease.
• About 2 weeks after one stops smoking one's lung function actually improves so one is going to be less short of breath and has more exercise tolerance.

Dr. Otis Brawley says a smoker may experience some negative effects of nicotine withdrawal.

“You can have shaking, you can have nervousness, even have some depression, increased appetite.” Dr. Brawley said.

But Brawley urges people, hang in there, because the benefits of not smoking will continue.

• One to nine months after one stops smoking the cough goes away.
• About a year after one stops smoking one's risk of heart disease goes down
• About 5 years after one stops smoking one's risk of stroke decreases.
• 10 years after quitting, Brawley says the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a current smokers.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta has more in this internet health report.