Top 10 Reasons to Stop Smoking

If you are a smoker, in the throes of addiction to nicotine, there's good news. You can stop this life shortening habit and reap untold benefits by taking a look at the top 10 reasons to stop smoking. The bottom line is that cigarettes kill, robbing you of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Your loved ones are robbed of your presence in their lives.

Nicotine addiction is just as bad as being addicted to crack or heroin, and just as hard, if not more so, to kick. There are over 40,000 carcinogens contained in just one cigarette. It takes over 25 years for one cigarette to decompose in the environment.

When you smoke, you increase your chances of dying of a smoking related disease, such as cancer, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). All three of these diseases can leaving you gasping for your last breath. You are also at a higher risk for developing coronary artery disease, having a heart attack, or suffering a stroke. Smoking increases the chances of complicating conditions that may already exist, such as hypertension or diabetes.

The health care costs of smoking related diseases, and lost production time are on the rise as people continue to smoke. Even though the dire warnings are on each and every pack of cigarettes sold in the United States, this does not hinder people from the seductiveness of nicotine. It gives a quick and temporary pick-me-up just for lighting up.

Granted, it is not easy kicking this habit, but if one could see into the future and what could happen if smoking is continued, I think there would be more and more people stopping smoking every day. Think about the folks you see walking around attached to oxygen tanks, with the clear nasal cannula in both nostrils. This happened to them due to smoking. These people are suffering from the effects of emphysema and other lung diseases due to smoking. They now must take oxygen with them where ever they go. Is this what you want for your life? You can avoid it by stopping smoking now. Below are 10 top reasons to stop smoking:

1. I will reduce my chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

2. I will reduce my chances of getting lung cancer, emphysema, and other lung diseases.

3. I will have better smelling clothes, hair, breath, home, and car.

4. I will climb stairs and walk without getting out of breath.

5. I will have fewer wrinkles.

6. I will be free of my morning cough.

7. I will reduce the number of coughs, colds, and earaches my child will have.

8. I will have more energy to pursue physical activities I enjoy.

9. I will treat myself to new books or music with the money I save from not buying cigarettes.

10. I will have more control over my life.

There you have it. Ten great reasons to stop smoking to live a longer and healthier life.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT