Reasons to Stop Smoking - Why Quit Smoking?

If you’ve been smoking for years, you may be searching for some reasons to quit smoking.  Most smokers actually enjoy smoking, to a certain point.

Smoking is enjoyable and addictive – which is why so many people smoke.  If people didn’t find pleasure in smoking, then it would surely die out.  Enjoying cigarettes, however, is a deadly vice.  Although there is short term pleasure, the harm is much more real and long lasting.

People are drawn to smoking because of several universal reasons. Almost everyone has to deal with psychological factors such as stress and peer pressure.  Unfortunately, many smoker find it easier to substitute the toxic chemicals that come from smoking instead of dealing with issues.  The implications of this unhealthy approach are grim.

Studies have shown that over 85% of lung cancer cases are directly caused by lont-term, heavy smoking.  Smokers have two to four times greater chance of a stroke than non-smokers.  Coronary heart disease risks are just as bad.  Diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma have similar risks.  These diseases are often referred to as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases or COPDs. Between 80 and 90% of COPD cases are found among those who are regular smokers.

To establish the consequences of smoking, it required scientific studies that spanned multiple generations. Thousands of studies now link cigarette smoking with adverse health effects.  Eventhough the exact relationship between smoking and strokes or cancer are not fully understood, the correlation is overwhelming.

There is a well established relationship, for example, between the increased build up of fatty deposits on the arteries as a result of smoking. The effects on the lungs as tar builds up in the alveoli are also evident. The hacking, reduced energy and other effects are obvious to everyone and require no scientific study to prove.

Cigarette smoke has been found to contain a few dozen known carcinogenic compounds.  The hazardous compounds range from the well known tar and benzene to nitrosamines.  Cigarette smoke also contains significant amounts of carbon monoxide (CO).  CO binds with hemoglobin and robs the blood stream of necessary oxygen.

Stopping smoking is no easy task.  The vast majority of people (over 90%) are not successful in quitting smoking permanently on their first try.  It is possible, however, to be one of the few who succeed in quitting smoking in their first try – through willpower and other tools.

Willpower is the key tool that you will need to stop smoking – just as it is for any challenging task. There are, however, other tools such as counseling and various stop smoking products that can help augment your willpower.  Several nicotine-related products such as gums, lozenges and inhalers are effective for some people.  There are a few products that are available that don’t contain nicotine.  Several anti-depressants such as Zyban have worked for some.  And newer drugs such as Chantix have been effective as well.

When you begin your program to stop smoking, you will have some trying times. Some people struggle with weight gain.  Most people will struggle to overcome cravings for weeks or months.  The long term effects, however, are immediate and vast.

You will dramatically reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease when you quit smoking.  You will look and feel healthier.  Your skin will become healthy again and you will regain your overall fitness.  Your mind and body will be better able to deal with the challenges of everyday life.

Stop now and benefit immediately. Continue to smoke and you will suffer the consequences.