There are so many reasons to quit smoking, and absolutely none to continue smoking. Sure, you may enjoy smoking, but the addiction is doing nothing but catastrophic things to your body, setting the stage for health problems and diseases—both chronic and fatal—which may seem far-off and unreal right now, but ones that are as real the last cigarette you smoked.

Actually, there are several benefits but the most significant of them all is to rid yourself of the aforementioned age-old paradigm, and replace it with a sense of “I am in control of my life”.

By quitting smoking, you will Instantly feel better about yourself and you will experience some amazing benefits, such as the following:

• Your sense of taste will improve, and your favorite foods will be so much more delicious;
• Your sense of smell will improve, and you’ll be amazed and thrilled at all the fragrances you’ve been missing;
• Your teeth will be whiter;
• Your fingers won’t be stained with cigarette tar;
• Your clothes will no longer smell like smoke;
• Your breath will be fresh;
• Your lungs will be able to breathe deeper and more full;
• You won’t cough as often;
• You will lower your risks for numerous health problems, ranging from dozens of different cancers, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, vision problems, premature wrinkling of the skin, lupus, gum disease, acid reflux, peptic ulcers, infertility, and more.
• You will have more money in your pocket
• You will have far greater control over your life
• You will no longer be concerned with having cigarettes for the morning, or for a long drive;

  Have you ever wanted to stop smoking, but haven’t been able to? Sadly, it’s a very common problem. However, if you’re serious about quitting, these are some of the benefits you can expect to gain.

When you quit smoking, you will get…

  1. Better blood circulation, and therefore warmer hands and feet.
  2. Higher energy levels.
  3. Increased stamina.
  4. Improved sense of taste.
  5. Improved sense of smell.
  6. Less feelings of thirst.
  7. Less dry lips and mouth
  8. Lower blood pressure.
  9. Better pulse rates.
  10. Lower risk of gum diseases.
  11. Lower risk of cancer.
  12. Lower risk of heart attack.
  13. Lower risk of stroke.
  14. Lower risk of blindness.
  15. Lower risk of impotence.
  16. Lower risk of miscarriage.
  17. Lower risk of having to amputate limbs.
  18. Higher levels of antioxidants.
  19. Strengthened immune system.
  20. Higher blood oxygen levels.
  21. Increased lung capacity.
  22. Increased capacity to build muscles.
  23. Less nausea from smoking too much.
  24. Less coughing.
  25. Less trembling hands.
  26. Improved vision.
  27. Less wrinkles and more beautiful skin.
  28. Less yellow skin on fingers.
  29. Less yellow nails.
  30. Whiter teeth.
  31. Less smelly clothes and hair.
  32. Less feelings of guilt.
  33. Possible improved self-image.
  34. Decreased levels of stress hormones.
  35. Increased sense of wellbeing.
  36. Improved self-control.
  37. Improved health of the people around you.
  38. More cash and a better economy.
  39. Lower life insurance premiums.
  40. More available time for your loved ones.
  41. A longer life.

Live better and live longer!

20 minutes after you quit, your blood pressure has already decreased, your pulse rate has dropped and the blood temperature of your hands and feet has increased.

2 hours after quitting, you have significantly reduced the nicotine in your system.

8 hours after quitting, the level of carbon monoxide in your blood drops as the oxygen increases to the normal level of a non-smoker. This is one of the best advantages of quitting smoking, as carbon monoxide robs your muscles, brain and tissues of oxygen.

At 24 hours, your chance of a heart attack has already decreased.

At 48 hours. These will make you smile… a couple of nice little health benefits of quitting smoking are that you will find your sense of smell improved, and as those sensitive nerve endings start regrowing, your taste buds will come alive again.

In 2 to 4 days, all nicotine by-products have gone from your body. That means there is no physical addictive substance left to niggle your brain.

Between 2 to 9 weeks, your circulation improves, walking and exercise will become easier and your lung function increases.

By 3 months, your fertility improves. This is an oft overlooked reason to quit smoking. Men’s quality and density of sperm increases and women’s chances of conceiving are increased, with less likelihood of miscarriage, or giving birth to babies with higher risks of stillbirth, cot death, premature or low birth weight and lifelong afflictions.

By now, the tar stains on your fingers and teeth will be eliminated.

Within the first 9 months, you will find that you no longer suffer from shortness of breath, and coughing, sinus congestion or fatigue will be rapidly improved.

By 1 year your risk of coronary heart disease is already half that of a smoker!

Also by now, due to increased oxygen, you will have noticeable improvement in your skin and gums. The oxygen goes towards repairing dry skin and premature wrinkles.

After 5 years the risk of lung cancer drops by half. Also your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas rapidly decreases. And every day thereafter these lifesaving health benefits of quitting smoking increase.

In 5 to 15 years, you will have no higher risk of stroke than that of people who have never smoked!

By 10 years, your chances of coronary heart disease will be virtually the same as that of people who have never smoked. In fact your risk of an early death from all causes virtually disappears and returns to that of people who have never smoked.

Did you know that only 12% of smokers can expect to live to 85, as compared to 69% of non-smokers? Why risk losing even one year of life or being one of the statistical average of smokers and lose 10 years? Or 25 years? Why risk an average of 12 years disability before you die?

If you quit before age 35 your risk is reduced by a dramatic 90% or more, and even if you’re over 65 and you quit, your quality of life and life expectancy is significantly increased.

That’s a lot of good reasons to stop smoking.

More benefits of quitting smoking
Health benefits aren’t the only way smokers can improve their lives. Here’s a few more:

 
• Money. Ah yes, there’ll be more in your pocket, that’s for sure! Insurance is cheaper for non-smokers too.
 
• Eliminate fire risk. There are a surprising number of fires caused by smokers, either damaging property, or damaging property and killing or injuring people (often smokers themselves who have fallen asleep).
 
• More socially acceptable. There are less restrictions and hassle, less looking for a place to smoke, less standing in the cold or heat, less smelly clothes, breath, hair and so on.
 
• Babies born to mothers who smoked in pregnancy are more likely to be premature, stillborn or die shortly after birth. A baby exposed to tobacco smoke has a higher risk of dying from cot death.
 
• Children whose parents smoke are more likely to get pneumonia and bronchitis in their first year of life, to suffer from more frequent and more severe asthma attacks and to become regular smokers themselves.

Tracy Clinger, NY