20 Reasons to Quit Smoking


20 Reasons to Quit Smoking

    Courtesy of Health.com

    Most people try to quit smoking a few times before they finally succeed. Therefore, failing is not failure-it's practice. Keep at it: Studies have shown that some combination of drugs, stop-smoking aids, counseling, support, and changes of habit can work for you. If you (or your loved ones) need more motivation, here are 20 reasons why you should quit today.

    1. You won't have to pay more and more and more and more each year.

    Yup, taxes will almost certainly continue to go up. New Jersey, Vermont, and Connecticut are among the states leaning harder on smokers for revenue, but even some tobacco-growing states are beginning to milk the coffin-nail cash cow. Lawmakers' reasoning: There is evidence that price increases cause smokers to reduce consumption. And the medical costs of smoking are astronomical-a huge burden to the states.

    2. Really, if you think cigarette prices can't go up much more, you've got Wall Street against you as well as the government.

    Addiction-to oil, tobacco, etc.-is a very good thing to bank on. Many on Wall Street remain bullish about Big Tobacco's ability to jack up prices, even if sales drop because of tax increases.

    3. The Pill suddenly becomes a lot safer to use.

    If you're on the Pill and smoke, you should cut out one or the other. The Pill is not recommended for smokers because oral contraceptives carry a risk of clots, heart attacks, and strokes; those risks are increased if you smoke.

    4. You'll be less wrinkly.

    After 10 years, smoking can speed up your skin's aging process by narrowing your skin's blood vessels and damaging the tissues that give the skin its strength and elasticity.

    5. Eat less.

    (Despite muting the taste buds, smoking brings food cravings of its own.) Smoking increases food cravings in women, particularly for starchy carbohydrates and high-fat foods.

    6. Keep your walls the color you painted them.

    Cigarette smoke creates persistent yellow stains on painted walls that take a concentrated effort to remove.

    7. Reduce the premature need for expensive hair treatments.

    Smokers are three to six times more likely to go prematurely gray than nonsmokers.

    8. Protect Fido and Fluffy.

    A number of studies show that secondhand smoke at home may be associated with oral cancer and lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, and lung cancer in birds.

    9. Use the cigarette lighter for a higher purpose: Keep your kids from fighting in the car.

    Most portable appliances, including iPods and personal DVD players, plug in to the cigarette lighter in your car via an adapter. Chuck the lighter and deploy the power source to keep the kids entertained with movies or music.

Bookmark
Read and Post Comments | More on AOL Health

Doctor Directory

woman doctor medic

Looking for a doctor in your area? Our comprehensive care provider directory will help you find the right doctor close to home.

    How Much?

    Recent Comments

    1 - 10 of 13
    13 comments

    Jdeborahross 08:35:33 PM Dec 07 2008

    Jesus can take your addictions away for free. Give HIM a try! I smoked 2-3 packs a day plus abused alcohol and after giving my life to Jesus, was set totally free 6 years ago. Amen

    Jdeborahross 08:32:34 PM Dec 07 2008

    I smoked 2-3 packs a day plus extreme alcohol abuse daily. I gave it to Jesus Christ in 2002 and got up from the alter heaven bound and addiction free. The best thing of all, ITS A FREE GIFT FOR EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF JESUS. JESUS SAVES AND DELIVERS!!! AMEN

    Donb2250 08:19:39 PM Dec 07 2008

    HMMMMM- Let's see, if I quit smoking then do I get do die of good health instead?Life is the cause of death period.These non smoking promotions don't tell you that pollution caused by automobiles especially those burning deisel are one of the major pollutants causing respiratory ailments!

    LooneyTunes11316 06:28:36 PM Aug 28 2008

    Sure there are PLENTY of reasons out there to stop smoking (notice I don't say 'quit')... My doctor attributes the onset of perimenopause (early menopause) directly to the hormones that are found in milk, meat, and other food/drink products we consume. He also attributes the onset of early menses to the same hormones that are found in milk, meat, and other food/drink products humans consume.

    Laffinboy71 12:55:32 AM Aug 28 2008

    LoL Ryzix thats way funny

    Laffinboy71 12:54:08 AM Aug 28 2008

    im trying to quit and its hard but going to bed at night and not feeling like i have a concreate block on my chest is good but i still believe in smokers rights evey time they rase taxes to pay for politicans bad habits i think the self ritchous should have to pay for the welfair of the peope they put out of work by cring how unfair it is

    Ryzix 12:32:08 AM Aug 28 2008

    If you've noticed the majority of these reasons were to woman. I am a man, so I don't think I'll have to worry about the pill or menopause lol. Come to think of it all of 'em weren't directly focused on men! The closest one I think, was the gray hair, and even that wasn't focused on men! ...so it's safer for men to smoke. Stop smoking ladies! lol

    DIEHARD31575 11:14:51 PM Aug 27 2008

    Dammit...I was going to quit smoking tonight but after reading the freaking article I changed my mind. Aside from my wish that cigarettes were free I am not "scared straight". Whatever....lights another cigarette.....mmmm

    lvlyjess 11:13:28 PM Aug 27 2008

    Why is everybody in such denial smoking is bad for you and in the long run you will realize it will ruin and is ruining your life well as for those that dont smoke please don't even try it

    dubyasgrammarian 09:10:30 PM Aug 27 2008

    Everytime I want to light up a cig, I'll just fix a hot dog instead!

    1 - 10 of 13
    13 comments

    Add your own Comments