Reference data
Nicotine withdrawal symptom prevalence, by day
Percentage of quitters reporting each symptom on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28. Most physical symptoms peak days 2–4 and resolve substantially by day 28; cravings and increased appetite persist longer. Numbers are aggregated from Hughes 2007, Cochrane reviews, and CDC survey data.
The table
| Symptom | Day 1 | Day 3 | Day 7 | Day 14 | Day 28 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cravings | 90% | 85% | 70% | 50% | 30% | Source |
| Irritability / anger | 70% | 75% | 55% | 30% | 15% | Source |
| Anxiety | 60% | 65% | 50% | 35% | 20% | Source |
| Difficulty concentrating | 55% | 65% | 50% | 30% | 15% | Source |
| Insomnia / sleep disturbance | 45% | 55% | 45% | 25% | 10% | Source |
| Increased appetite | 35% | 55% | 65% | 60% | 45% | Source |
| Headache | 55% | 40% | 25% | 10% | 5% | Source |
| Low mood | 40% | 50% | 45% | 30% | 15% | Source |
| Restlessness | 60% | 55% | 40% | 20% | 10% | Source |
Percentages rounded to nearest 5% and reflect aggregate self-report across adult quitters. Individual experience varies; use these as expected ranges, not diagnoses.
Frequently asked
- How long does nicotine withdrawal last?
- Most physical symptoms peak between days 2 and 4, ease markedly by day 7, and largely resolve by day 28. Cravings persist longer — around 30% of quitters still report cravings at 4 weeks, though they are shorter and less intense.
- Which withdrawal symptom lasts longest?
- Increased appetite. It peaks around week 1, plateaus for several weeks, and is still reported by ~45% of quitters at 4 weeks. Cravings are the second-longest symptom.
- Are these percentages the same for vapers as for smokers?
- Broadly yes for the physical dependence symptoms — the pharmacology is the same nicotine. Vape-specific quitters sometimes report a slightly milder appetite spike and a slightly higher anxiety peak than combustion smokers.
Related: Day-by-day withdrawal timeline, How to manage withdrawal, PuffPause craving data.