Over 20,000 housing societies in Pune may come under GST

Santosh Maskar, chairman of the Roseland Cooperative Housing Society in Pimple Saudagar, is unclear about the status of his housing society under the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. “Our CA told us GST will be applicable only if the monthly maintenance is above Rs 5,000 per month. But, I also read somewhere that GST will be applicable if the yearly turnover is over Rs 20 lakh. By that definition, we will come under the GST ambit, as our yearly turnover is well over a crore,” he said.

The yearly turnover of a housing society is the amount collected from maintenance charges etc, minus the amount spent on providing services, making new constructions etc. Maskar is yet to apply for the provisional GST number and is waiting for a clarification from the Pune District Cooperative Housing Federation (PDCHF) limited. GST’s ‘one tax one nation’ policy presents a challenge for housing societies which, till date, were beyond the ambit of the service tax. Housing societies with a yearly turnover of above Rs 20 lakh will be charged a 5 per cent tax on the service they provide.

Officers of the Pune Zone of GST said the tax will only be applicable to housing societies if they provide any service — such as swimming pools, WiFI — to their members. “Societies are also recipient of certain services, such as security, gardening etc, so in those cases they will be exempt from the tax. But if they take up construction, then they will be charged,” said the officer.

Several housing societies, meanwhile, seem to be unclear about their status under the new tax regime. In Pune, records with the Cooperative Commissioner show there are more than 20,000 housing societies, whose yearly turnover is likely to be more then Rs 20 lakh. While such societies should come under the GST, majority of them are yet to initiate any procedure to get their provisional GST number. Suhas Patwardhan, chairman of PDCHF, said the organisation has written to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, seeking an exemption for housing societies. “If housing societies are brought under the GST regime, not only will it increase the hassle, but it will also translate into higher maintenance bills for its members,” he said.

“As per the information available to us, GST is applicable for housing societies if the monthly maintenance charges are more than Rs 5,000 or annual turnover is more than Rs 20 lakh. It would be good if the government can clarify what all heads should be included under maintenance charges. In fact, most of the housing societies, being co-operative societies, feel that they should be kept out of the GST’s ambit,” said Krunal Bauskar, secretary, Kumar Shantiniketan phase-1 Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. Maskar said in case Roseland society has to pay GST, there would be no other option but to pass the financial burden on to their members “This will lead to increased expenditure for our members,” he said.

News Link : Click Here

Aamir Khan’s Dangal breaks these 10 worldwide box office records as it creates Rs 2000-crore club

The success of Aamir Khan’s Dangal goes beyond the box office. As the film breaks all records and enters Rs 2000 crore club, having earned a large part of its mind-boggling profits in China. As the film continues to go strong, here are the 10 records the film shattered on its path to glory…

* Dangal is the fifth highest-grossing non-English movie in history after The Mermaid, The Untouchables, Monster Hunt, Your Name

* Dangal is Disney’s fourth biggest hit of 2016 after Hollywood blockbusters Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Pirates of the Caribbean 5 and Beauty And The Beast

* The highest-grossing live action sports movie of 2017

* The biggest non-Hollywood import ever released in China

* First and only Indian film with an overseas gross exceeding $100 million

* First and only Indian film with an overseas gross exceeding Rs. 1,000 crore

* First and only Indian film to gross over $150 million in a single territory (China)

* Biggest single-film payday ever for an Indian actor (Aamir Khan)

* Leggiest film in China’s history (83x opening day gross, and counting)

* Most consecutive days in China with a ¥10 million ($1.5 million) gross (38 days)

So what explains Dangal’s success in China? Indianexpress.com, in an earlier article, tried to understand the reasons why Dangal is such a huge success in China and came up with these obvious reasons: “Both China and India are deeply patriarchal societies, with a clear preference for the male child. China’s sex ratio of 121 males per 100 females (2004 census) is much worse than that of Haryana (114 males per 100 females, 2011 census)… So, when the young Chinese, especially the girls, see Geeta Phogat on the podium after a long, hard-fought battle against the prejudiced social norms, they see a bit of themselves in her and recognise the hardships their parents have experienced in the process.”

In the same way, the respect family commands in both the countries as well as the tough competition for scarce resources and opportunities is an everyday fact in both India and China.

News Link : Click Here

‘Ban on sale of cattle for slaughter won’t affect Goa tourism’

The Centre’s notification banning sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter will not affect tourism in Goa, state minister Manohar Ajgaonkar has said. The Centre recently banned the sale and purchase of cattle in animal markets for slaughter following which there were reports in a section of media that there may be shortage of beef in Goa. However, Ajgaonkar, who is the state tourism minister, refuted such reports. “There is no shortage of beef in the state. The supplies continue for the restaurants and other places,” he told PTI on Thursday.

The Centre’s new rules will not have an impact in Goa, he said adding that people come to the coastal state to relish its authentic seafood cuisine.

“Tourists come here for sea and sand and to eat fish curry and rice. They visit Goa to taste the authentic Goan cuisine, which includes dishes made of fish,” Ajgaonkar said.

The new rules notified recently by the Union environment ministry ban the sale or purchase of bulls, cows, camels for slaughter houses or for sacrifice for religious purpose.

‘World’s heaviest woman’ Eman Ahmed hospitalised in Abu Dhabi

An Egyptian believed to have been the world’s heaviest woman before her surgery was hospitalised in Abu Dhabi to continue treatment after a drastic weight-loss operation in India. Eman Ahmed Abd El Aty was admitted Thursday. She weighed some 500 kilograms before surgery in Mumbai in March that saw her shed around a fifth of her weight.

She suffers from a range of health problems including elephantiasis, a condition that causes the limbs and other body parts to swell. Abd El Aty was put on a special liquid diet in India to reduce her weight enough so that doctors could perform bariatric surgery — a stomach-shrinking bypass procedure is increasingly common in India, which has a growing problem with obesity.

She arrived in India on a specially-modified Airbus plane in February and has now shed an astonishing 323 kilograms in three months. With her weight standing at 176.6 kilograms, she will begin a year-long course of physiotherapy at VPS Burjeel hospital in Abu Dhabi, her doctors in Mumbai said.

“We have arranged for a hydraulic stretcher from Italy for Eman’s journey and she will have doctors, paramedics and nurses with her during the journey,” Sanet Meyer, director of medevac at VPS Burjeel, told AFP ahead of the trip.

UAE newspapers reported that Abd El Aty’s sister Shaima had disagreed with how the Indian medical team were proceeding with the treatment.

“I asked for help (in the Emirates) after noticing the lack of progress,” she said on yesterday.

Abd El Aty had not left her home in Egypt’s Mediterranean port city of Alexandria for two decades until her arrival in India. Her family told doctors that she was diagnosed as a child with elephantiasis, leaving her almost immobile. Abd El Aty has suffered a stroke and faced a series of other serious ailments owing to her weight including diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension and sleep deprivation.

She is unable to speak properly and is partially paralysed. India is a major destination for medical tourists seeking quality services and no waiting lists at a fraction of the cost of western countries. In July last year, the Guinness Book of World Records recorded American Pauline Potter as the world’s heaviest woman at 293 kilos, well above Abd El Aty’s current weight.

News Link : Click Here

Ladder pane, cabin crew on the 42 thousand feet flight started in the flight

Passengers riding in a flight of Turkish Airlines zoomed in when suddenly a new passenger came between them. In fact, a woman passenger named Nafie DiBi was also traveling in a Turkish Airlines flight, she was a 28-month pregnant. During the journey, he suddenly started labor pain (labor pains). The cabin crew on the ship helped the woman in delivery. Not only that, some passengers present in the flight also extended their hands to help women. The woman gave birth to the baby at a height of 42 thousand feet. This incident took place on Friday. After the birth of the child, the flight was landed in a country in West Africa and the mother and child were admitted to the hospital.

The airline company tweeted photos of the mother and child, giving information about this. At the same time, they also confirmed that both mother and newborn girl are healthy. The baby girl was named Kadija. Even on micro blogging website Twitter, users have expressed happiness over the birth of the child and the work of the cabin crew. So far, about 20 thousand people have re-tweeted and more than 25 thousand people have liked it on the post on April 7. After listening to the news of the health of the child on the social media, the happiness and congratulations of people came from the flood of messages.

Welcome on board Princess! Applause goes to our cabin crew!

At the same time, in Maharashtra, a case related to delivery of women was revealed on Sunday. Here a boy studying in MBBS with the assistance of WhitSAP in the train has delivered the woman. The boy took a picture of the woman and cast it on a group of senior doctors. After that a senior lady doctor helped her in delivering the child. After the instructions received from senior doctors, the student successfully delivered the woman. According to the report, both mother and child are OK after the operation.

News Link : Click Here

Turkey confirms use of chemical weapons in Syria gas attack after autopsy of victims

Ankara: Confirming earlier reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that chemical weapons may have used in Syria attack, Turkey has confirmed that such armaments were used in the attack.

"Autopsies were carried out on three of the bodies after they were brought from Idlib. The results of the autopsy confirms that chemical weapons were used," Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said, quoted by state-run Anadolu news agency.

"This scientific investigation also confirms that Assad used chemical weapons," Bozdag added, without giving further details. Thirty-two injured Syrians were brought to southern Turkey for medical treatment but three of them died in hospital. 

As per WHO’s statement on Wednesday, some victims of a suspected chemical attack in Syria had symptoms consistent with exposure to a category of chemicals that includes nerve agents.

The UN health agency had said the attack in Idlib province Tuesday, which killed at least 72 civilians, appeared to have involved chemical weapons, pointing to the "apparent lack of external injuries reported in cases showing a rapid onset of similar symptoms, including acute respiratory distress as the main cause of death."

"Some cases appear to show additional signs consistent with exposure to organophosphorus chemicals, a category of chemicals that includes nerve agents," it said.

Now it has been proved that the attack involved use of chemical weapons. 

Syria 'chemical' attack: What we know

International outrage is mounting over a suspected chemical attack that killed scores of civilians in a rebel-held town in northwest Syria on Tuesday morning.

AFP's correspondent in the town of Khan Sheikhun saw lifeless bodies lying at a field hospital, which was itself hit in air strikes hours after the attack. 

It remains unclear what kind of substance was used in the attack, but the World Health Organization said on Wednesday that some victims appeared to show signs of exposure to "nerve agents".

With Turkey's confirmation, this can be termed as one of the worst chemical attacks since Syria's civil war began six years ago. 

What happened?

Air strikes hit the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhun around 7:00 am (0400 GMT) on Tuesday, and residents reported finding entire families "dead in their beds".

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights first reported that 58 civilians had died, but the monitoring group later updated the death toll to a total of 72, including 20 children and more than a dozen women. 

Another 160 were wounded, with local medics telling AFP they had treated cases of suffocation, convulsions, pinpoint pupils, and rapid pulses. 

What was the aftermath?

Residents were rushed to clinics inside the town and wider province, and some victims were taken across the border for treatment in Turkey.  

Hours after the attack, as medics worked to treat the wounded in a hospital in Khan Sheikhun, two air strikes slammed into the facility and partially destroyed it.

The gruesome footage emerging from the town was met with widespread shock, including in Brussels where world powers have gathered to raise funds to deal with Syria's crisis. 

Who was behind it?

Syria's opposition has accused the government of Bashar al-Assad of carrying out the strike, and warned that it "calls into question" efforts to bring an end to the bloody conflict. 

Rebel groups including Al-Qaeda's former affiliate said on Tuesday they would take "revenge" against the regime and its backers, calling on allied fighters "to ignite the fronts" across the country. 

But Syria's army "categorically" denied the claims, saying it had never used chemical weapons "any time, anywhere, and will not do so in the future".

Both the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria and the UN's chemical arms watchdog said they were investigating the attack to determine whether chemical substances were used. 

How has the world reacted?

Washington and London have pointed the finger at Assad, and European Union diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said his regime bore "primary responsibility" for the attack. 

Pope Francis on Wednesday called the attack an "unacceptable massacre". 

But regime ally Moscow said the deaths were caused when a Syrian air strike hit a "terrorist warehouse" containing toxic materials. 

When have chemical weapons been used in Syria?

Syria's government officially joined the Chemical Weapons Convention and turned over its chemical arsenal in 2013, as part of a deal to avert US military action.

That agreement came after hundreds of people -- up to 1,429 according to a US intelligence report -- were killed in chemical weapons strikes allegedly carried out by Syrian troops near Damascus.

But there have been repeated allegations of chemical weapons use by the government since, with a UN-led investigation pointing the finger at the regime for at least three chlorine attacks in 2014 and 2015.

The Islamic State jihadist group was also found to have used mustard gas in a 2015 attack in Syria. 

On government table: A Presidential reference to Supreme Court on liquor sale ban order

With many state governments seeking its intervention in making the Supreme Court reconsider its order banning sale of liquor within 500 metres of state and national highways, including at bars, hotels and restaurants that serve alcohol, the Centre is open to the idea of “considering” making a Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court on the issue. As an alternative, the Centre is also open to the idea of supporting a review petition filed by hotels and tourism industry bodies, seeking a review of the Supreme Court judgment on the limited issue of allowing hotels and licensed bars to serve liquor.

The Centre’s inclination to seek a Presidential Reference comes with a caveat though: a group of state governments will have to make a request in writing, seeking a Presidential Reference under Article 143 of the Constitution to the Supreme Court.

This, sources told The Indian Express, view has developed within top echelons of the Central government in view of the possibility of state governments suffering heavy loss of revenue due to closure of majority of the liquor vends and bars inside the hotels and outside. For most states, excise revenue from annual auction of liquor vends is one of the biggest sources of revenue. The negative impact that the Supreme Court order is likely to have on the tourism sector is another reason for the changed mindset.

The Centre will also seek the opinion of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi who appeared for Tamil Nadu government in the matter and who has earlier opined that the court-ordered ban on liquor vends within 500 metres of state and national highways would not apply to pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants that serve alcohol.

“We are open to the idea of seeking a Presidential Reference on the issue since the issue assumes significance due to its public importance, especially since a lot of revenue and job loss will happen if the Supreme Court order is implemented as it is. But, we will do it only if some of the aggrieved states approach us,” a source said.

A senior functionary of the Ministry of Tourism told The Indian Express, “We are concerned that hotels have also come under the ambit of the judgment along with liquor vends. If the industry goes for a limited review we may implead ourselves to endorse their position.” Incidentally, during the hearing of the case before the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) J S Khehar, the Central government’s counsel had supported the court’s decision.

Under Article 143, the Centre can request the President to make a reference to the Supreme Court, asking it to give its opinion if there is a “question of law or fact” that has arisen or is likely to arise, “which is of such a nature and of such public importance that it is expedient to obtain the opinion of the Supreme Court”. The Supreme Court can, however, refuse to answer all or any of the queries raised in the Reference.

Advocates General of two states, including a BJP-ruled state, as well as a senior law officer for Congress-ruled Karnataka told The Indian Express that they were also mulling sending a request to the Centre to send a Presidential Reference under Article 143 to the Supreme Court.

When contacted, advocate Dev Dutt Kamat, Additional Advocate General, Government of Karnataka, who appeared for the the state before the CJI-led bench on the issue, said, “The Presidential Reference, in my opinion, is the most feasible option. With lakhs of direct and indirect jobs on the line and state governments staring at revenue losses to the tune of lakhs of crores, the Centre should go for this option. I have advised the Government of Karnataka to make a request in this regard to the Central government and I am told many other state governments have also received similar advice.”

Asked if the measure by some state governments to negate the impact of the Supreme Court ruling by renaming some state roads as district roads or urban roads wasn’t enough, Kamat said, “This can’t be an everlasting solution.”

The Advocate General of a state, who did not wish to be named, said, “It is not just an issue of deaths due to drunken driving. The revenue to the states from excise and growth of tourism sector are also to be considered. The final decision will be taken by the government but I have suggested making a request to the Centre to seek Presidential Reference.”

Incidentally, Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma also indicated Monday that the Centre was seeking legal suggestions to explore a “middle path” to solve problems being faced by hoteliers and restaurant owners following the apex court’s order banning liquor sale along highways.

He had, however, added that the government would work within the framework of the directives of the Supreme Court in the matter.

The Centre, it may be recalled, had taken recourse to a Presidential Reference after the 2G spectrum scam judgment. In that case, the President had sought the Court’s opinion on whether it could interfere with policy decisions.

News Link : Click Here

WWE WrestleMania 33 Results: Brock Lesnar avenges Goldberg loss, The Undertaker retires after loss

 The WWE high profile event WrestleMania 33 was held in Orlando. There were mouthwatering match-ups and none disappointed. There was John Cena and Nikki Bell against The Miz and Maryse whereas Triple H had to play Seth Rollins. But the big matches were scheduled for later in the night as The Undertaker took on Roman Reigns. For nostalgia, Goldberg was against Brock Lesnar. And for more nostalgia, The Hardys also returned to WrestleMania. Here are all the results from WrestleMania 33

The Undertaker loses to Roman Reigns

The ending was never great for Undertaker! The Deadman, synonyms to WrestleMania retired from the game after suffering defeat at the hands of Roman Reigns. With a WrestleMania record of 23-2, Taker puts down his gloves!

Naomi defeat Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Mickie James, Carmella and Natalya

In a six women SmackDown Championship, Naomi was the winner. She defeated the other five girls in the WrestleMania six-pack challanege in front of her home crowd. She had to leave her title last month due to injury but got it back.

Brock Lesnar beat Goldberg

Lesnar would have dearly waited for this day. After losing to Goldberg in one minute and 26 seconds at Survivor Series, Lesnar avenged that loss and defeated Goldberg in 4 minutes and 26 minutes in WrestleMania.

Randy Orton beat Bray Wyatt for WWE Championship

Awkward! The former Wyatt family “brothers” were wrestling each other for the WWE Championship and in the end, it was an RKO to finish the match and Orton won his ninth WWE Championship title.

Seth Rollins beat Triple H

This was something Rollins needed to be out of Triple H’s hands. But it was not easy. Rollins had to survive hell in a non-sanctioned match but he managed to and is now free of Triple H.

John Cena and Nikki Bella beat Miz and Maryse

More drama at WrestleMania. More than the match, it was about Cena proposing to Bella, who said yes. They had defeated The Miz and Maryse after Bella completed a double pin on them.

The Hardys beat Good Brothers, Realest Guys, and Cesaro & Sheamus, 4-way ladder match

There was a grand reception as Matt and Jeff Hardy returned to WrestleMania. It got better as the Hardys won a fatal four-way ladder match. Using their experience from ladder matches, Hardys easily won the Raw Tag team championship.

Bayley beat Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Nia Jax

In her title defence, Bayley had to wrestle three of RAW’s iconic women and she did it in style. In a fatal four-way match, Bayley defended her title by defeating Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Nia Jax

Kevin Owens defeated Chris Jericho

The United States Championship was on line and Owens made it his own. He beat her former friend for the to be the new US champ.

AJ Styles defeated Shane McMahon

In an epic match that was more about McMahon’s offence where he used most things, it was AJ Styles who won. But it was great fun to watch

Dean Ambrose defeated Baron Corbin

Intercontinental champ Dean Ambrose was in a spot of bother as Corbin dominated the match but it was a late surge from Ambrose that helped him remain the champ

Mojo Rawley wins the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

National Football League team New England Patriots’ player Rob Gronkowski helped Rawley win the Andre the Giant Memorial Royal Battle

Neville defeated Austin Aries

Austin was eyeing his first title at WWE with the Cruiserweight championship but Neville had different plans. He easily defeat Austin to win the title

9 Ways to Eat Clean for Diet & Weight Management

Pick Whole Foods

The basic idea of clean eating is to choose foods that are as close to their natural form as possible. So instead of boxed, bagged, or packaged foods, choose fresh, whole ones. Think whole turkey instead of frozen turkey meatballs or raw grapes instead of gummy snacks made with fruit juice. Bonus: When you avoid highly processed foods, like chips, cookies, and ready-to-eat meals, you skip their loads of calories, sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

Eat More Whole Grains

Refined carbs, like white bread, pasta, and rice, lose nutrients during the manufacturing process. Trade them for whole wheat bread and pasta and brown or wild rice. Or opt for other whole grains like oatmeal, popcorn, barley, or bulgur. This change can have a big impact: Studies show that a diet high in whole grains can lower your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer.

Load Up on Fruits and Veggies

These natural foods are two staples of clean eating. Some clean eaters say all your produce should be fresh. But others say that frozen and canned options are the next best thing, since they have just as many nutrients. Just read the label to make sure you’re not getting extra sugar or salt. Also choose whole fruits instead of juices, which have less fiber and more sugar. Aim to get at least five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Watch Out for Salt and Added Sugar

Clean foods are naturally low in salt and sugar, and adding them goes against the as-natural-as-possible approach. Since processed foods are a major source of them, you can slash your intake when you avoid them. Otherwise, read food labels to look for added sweeteners and salt, even in foods that seem healthy, like yogurt or tomato sauce. Also keep tabs on how much you add to your foods and drinks. Try flavoring with spices and herbs instead.

Skip Artificial Ingredients

Artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives, and other manmade ingredients don’t have a place in a clean-eating diet. At the grocery store, read food labels and avoid items with the fake stuff.

Sip Plenty of Water

Instead of sugar-heavy soft drinks and juices, sip low-calorie beverages, such as water and herbal tea. Water can curb your hunger and help you feel full, but it can also fend off fatigue and give you more energy. Miss flavored drinks? Try infusing your water with a slice of citrus or sprig of mint.

Rethink Alcohol and Caffeine

Some clean eaters cut them out entirely in favor of drinking plenty of water. Others say it’s OK to have them in moderation. Clean eater or not, experts recommend no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine (about three to five 8-ounce cups of coffee) per day, and one serving of alcohol for women and two for men. Also skip the sugary extras: Opt for plain tea or coffee, and avoid sweet mixers for alcohol.

Decide If You’ll Go Organic

Organic farmers use natural pesticides and avoid man-made ones, so some people say organic produce is the best way to eat clean. It’s up to you to decide how important it is to your diet. You can also shop at your local farmers market to find out what kinds of pesticides the vendors use. Another tip: Pesticides usually wind up on the outsides of fruits and veggies, so you can choose non-organic foods with skins you don't eat, like avocados, corn, and onions

Be Smart About Meat and Dairy

Meat, dairy, and eggs you buy at the store may come from animals that get growth hormones and antibiotics. Clean eaters avoid them and choose organic or opt for local sources that raise animals humanely. A farmer’s market is a good place to learn more about where your meat and dairy come from. Seafood isn’t labeled as organic, so look for items low in mercury and that use sustainable fishing. The cleanest approach to protein? Get most of it from nuts, beans, and legumes.

What Happens When You Quit Smoking?

1#

A quitting smoking timeline

Right now is a great time to quit smoking. Why? In as few as 20 minutes, you’ll start to feel the benefits.

Here we break down the changes that occur in your body with in minutes, hours, days, and even years after you kick the habit. The health benefits of quitting today may surprise you.

2#

20 minutes after you quit

The effects of quitting start to set in immediately. Within 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your heart rate will begin to drop back toward a normal level. 

3#
2 hours after you quit

After two hours without a cigarette, your heart rate and blood pressure will be close to normal levels again. Your blood circulation will also start to improve. The tips of your fingers and toes may start to feel warm. 

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms usually start about two hours after your last cigarette. Early withdrawal symptoms include:

intense cravings anxiety, tension, or frustration drowsiness or trouble sleeping

increased appetite

4#
12 hours after you quit

Carbon monoxide, which can be toxic to the body at high levels, is released from burning tobacco and inhaled as part of cigarette smoke. Carbon monoxide bonds very well to blood cells, so high levels of the gas can prevent the cells from bonding with oxygen. The lack of oxygen in the blood often causes serious heart conditions and other health problems.

In as few as 12 hours after quitting smoking, the carbon monoxide in your body decreases to lower levels. In turn, the amount of oxygen in your blood increases to normal levels. 

5#
24 hours after you quit

The risk of coronary artery disease for smokers is 70 percent higher than for nonsmokers. It is the most common form of heart disease and the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. However, just one full day after quitting smoking, your risk for coronary artery disease will already begin to reduce. Your risk of having a heart attack also starts to decline. While you’re not quite out of the woods yet, you’re on your way!

6#

48 hours after you quit

It may not be life-threatening, but an inability to smell or taste well is one of the more obvious consequences of smoking. Once you quit smoking for 48 hours, your nerve endings will start to regrow, and your ability to smell and taste will improve. You’ll soon start to better appreciate the finer things in life.

7#
3 days after you quit

At this point, the nicotine will be completely out of your body. This means that the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal may peak around this time. You might experience some physical and emotional symptoms during withdrawal. These include:

headaches

nausea

cramps

sweating

anxiety

irritability

depression

This is when quitting smoking can become especially difficult. If you’re able to make it to this point, reward yourself so you feel motivated to continue. Use the money you would have spent on cigarettes to buy something nice for yourself.

8#
2 to 3 weeks after you quit

Within three weeks, you’ll be able to exercise and perform physical activities without feeling winded. Stopping smoking for a couple of weeks gives your body time to regenerate and heal. Your blood circulation and heart function will improve significantly during this time. Your lungs may also begin to clear, allowing you to breathe more easily.

For most smokers, withdrawal symptoms start to subside about two weeks after quitting.

9#
1 to 9 months after you quit

After one month without cigarettes, the cilia inside your lungs will begin to repair. The cilia are the tiny, hair-like structures that push mucus out of the lungs. Once the cilia are able to do their job efficiently, they can fight off infection and clear the lungs more easily. With properly functioning lungs, your coughing and shortness of breath will continue to decrease dramatically.

Your withdrawal symptoms will also go away completely within nine months after quitting. The length of time it takes varies depending on how long and how often you smoked before quitting. 

10#
1 year after you quit

The one-year mark is a big one. After a year without smoking, your risk for heart disease is lowered to half that of a smoker’s. This means that someone who smokes is more than twice as likely as you are to develop any type of heart disease.

11#
5 years after you quit

A wide array of toxic substances is released in the burning of tobacco. Over time, these substances cause your blood vessels to narrow, which increases your risk of having a stroke. After five to 15 years of not smoking, your risk of having a stroke is the same as that of a nonsmoker. 

12#10 years after you quit

Smokers are at higher risk than nonsmokers for a daunting list of cancers. These include:

oral cancer

throat cancer

esophageal cancer

lung cancer

kidney cancer

pancreatic cancer

Of these cancers, lung cancer is the most common form of cancer that affects smokers. Smoking is a main cause of lung cancer and accounts for 90 percent of lung cancer deaths worldwide.

It may take 10 years, but if you quit, eventually your risk of dying from lung cancer will drop to half that of a smoker’s. Ten years after quitting, your risk of getting other types of cancer also decreases.

13#
15 years after you quit

Fifteen years after your last cigarette, your risk for heart disease will be at the same level as that of a nonsmoker. Your risk of developing other conditions, such as arrhythmia, will also be reduced to normal levels.

14#
Long-term benefits of quitting

The long-term benefits of quitting smoking are significant and can increase life expectancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nonsmokers live about 10 years longer than smokers. Quit today, and you may live those extra years with a functional heart and healthy lungs, allowing you to stay active and feel great.

15#
Ready to quit?

Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but it’s definitely worth the struggle, and there are resources available to help you quit today. If you’re ready for the benefits of a smoke-free life, visit our Smoking Cessation Center for information on how to start on the path to quitting. Take advantage of the numerous articles and tools so you can stop smoking once and for all.