29 Reasons You Should Quit Smoking

. Please don't be selfish. Think of those who care for and love you.
. Tobacco and tobacco smoke are cancer's best friends, and are close friends with respiratory problems and heart diseases (e.g. atherosclerosis, you know, thickening of the arteries leading to heart attacks).
. Smoking increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also called chronic obstructive lung disease.
. There is growing evidence that smoking can lead to AMD (age-related macular degeneration), a degenerative condition occurring at the back of the eye (macula) resulting in blindness.
. There is an increased risk of developing cataracts.
. Smokers may develop complications in diverticular disease.
. Smoking can suppress the body's immune function.
. Smoking contributes to chronic sinusitis.
. Smoked or chewed tobacco worsens gum disease.
. Tobacco can cause hemorrhoids to flare up.
. Chain smokers (over 20 cigarettes a day) are 13 times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than non-smokers.
. Women who smoke during early pregnancy can increase a child's risk of developing autism.
. Cigarettes, like alcohol, coffee and fizzy drinks are known to have an adverse effect on the secretion of the female hormone estrogen. Estrogen is linked to healthy bone strength.
. Nicotine is just as addictive as cocaine or heroin.
. Cigars, like cigarettes contain nicotine. Cigar smoking is not safer than cigarettes. Cigars are a major source of secondhand smoke which contains over 4000 chemicals where 200 are poisons and 63 cause cancer.
. It is foolish to think that smoking without inhaling is safe, that is because smoke still enters the body through the mouth, nose and skin.

Simple Question for you: Why expose yourself to these health risks?

. Smoking can cause skin to age faster.
. Smoking increases stomach acidity which can irritate the stomach lining.
. While you enjoy puffing, you are actually forcing those around you to breathe in what is harmful.
. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more prone to have chronic ear infections.
. A study conducted by the British Institute of Psychiatry found that smoking later in life may lead to mental decline. Researchers found that smokers were 4 times more likely to experience a significant intellectual decline than non-smokers. The test that was used to assess intellectual power was similar to those used to screen for dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Reference : "Smoking, drinking, and incident cognitive impairment: a cohort community based study included in the Gospel Oak Project" J A Cervilla, et al. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry (2000) 68:622-626
. Your sense of smell ... do you have one?
. Costly. Why not save the cigarette money? Surely there are other better ways to spend it. I send part of my saved money to support a child.
. If now is not the time to quit, then when? Are you getting younger everyday?
. Think of your well-being too. Don't be a burden on others should you fall ill.
. Quiting smoking is a precious and meaningful gift to give yourself and to the people you care about.
. Set a good example for kids.
. Forget about the number of times you have failed, don't be discouraged. It is that one success that counts.
. Life is demanding. Why put yourself in a worse situation?

But, you knew all this before, right? Yet, why do you smoke?

Stop smoking. Live Longer. Prosper. Enjoy.

Go to Free Quit Smoking Program