While we all know how horrible smoking is, there are still over 34 million smokers in the United States alone, according to the CDC. One of the biggest hurdles to quitting is often the mental perceptions of how hard quitting can be.
We’ve rounded up nine reasons to quit smoking to help you on your journey. From finances to the health of those around you, this guide has all the reasons why quitting smoking should be on the top of your to-do list.
Table of Contents
1. It’s Easier Than You Think
While nicotine is one of the most addictive substances in the world, it isn’t impossible to quit. With the right motivation and some helpful tools, quitting may be easier than you think. A little research into CBD and quitting smoking will reveal one natural remedy that has proven helpful.
Other quitting aids include exercise, hypnotherapy, placebos, and medication. Whatever method you’re leaning towards, speak to your doctor about what the best course of action is for you.
With a little determination, willpower, and drive, quitting can be well within reach. The reasons to stop smoking alone can act as motivation. It can be helpful to keep these written out in high traffic areas to keep you on track.
2. Your Health
Your health is often the main driver to quit smoking. From lung disease to tooth loss, and respiratory problems, smoking is horrible for your health. The longer you smoke the more damage smoking does to your body. The number of cigarettes you smoke over time also plays a big role.
Quitting smoking is often difficult because of the damage it does to your brain. Your brain sends signals of withdrawal that make it difficult to stop. Smoking also negatively affects every organ in the body. You can develop health issues and even cancer from your mouth down to your stomach.
3. Financial Reasons to Quit Smoking
Cigarettes can cost over $6.00 per pack in the United States. If you smoke two packs a day for an entire year, that’s $4,380 per year. Smoke for a lifetime or 50 years and you’ll be spending $219,000 on cigarettes. That’s a nice sized home in many areas of the country.
If your health isn’t motivation enough, think about how much you could do with the money saved. From paying down debt to saving for retirement, start adding up how much you spend on your smoking habit and imagine all of the possibilities for the extra money.
4. Your Time
Smoking takes up a lot of time. You may not even realize how much time you’re spending smoking. Whether you’re taking smoke breaks at work or when you could be with family, the time you’re spending smoking adds up.
Smoking may even be costing you career advancements. Your boss might be taking stock of how much time you’re spending outdoors smoking. Instead of trusting you with more work, co-workers could be finding you unreliable because of your constant absence.
5. Convivence
In recent years smoking has been banned almost anywhere in public. Smoking is an inconvenience that can be hard to ignore. Whether you’re out at a restaurant or at a concert, smoking is something you can’t do in the presence of others.
When around people or in public, you’re often forced to find a place alone no matter the weather. Not only is this inconvenient but it can also be isolating. Quitting allows you to never miss a beat.
6. Your Loved Ones
You can never have too much time with your loved ones. From leaving them to take smoke breaks to putting them in harm’s way, smoking can cost you more than you realize.
Secondhand smoke can cause damage to your family and even your pets. When you smoke around people in your home, they can breathe and inhale as much smoke as you. Smoke can also attach to their clothing and your furniture causing lung damage and asthma.
7. Your Quality of Life
Smoking can take its toll on your pocketbook and your health. Smoking heavily for years can impact almost every aspect of your life. It can also quite literally take years off of it.
When you smoke regularly, you can suffer from allergies, breathing problems, poor nutrition, and trouble sleeping. You may lose loved ones, friends, and even be passed up for promotions.
8. Trouble Sleeping
If you don’t sleep well, it can stick with you throughout the day. You may find it hard to focus and stay motivated. Smoking can interfere with the quality of your sleep as well.
Not only may you have trouble breathing while you sleep but you can also wake up coughing or suffer from insomnia or sleep apnea. The sooner you quit smoking the sooner you’ll start to enjoy a more restful sleep.
9. Cleanliness
The smell of cigarettes can be tough to mask. No matter how much you clean, spray, or try to cover the smell of smoke, it sticks with you. Your home, car, and clothes can start to smell like smoke all of the time.
Despite your best efforts, your hair, breath, and skin can also smell like cigarettes for hours after your last smoke. If you smoke in your home or car, the scent will often attach itself to fabric and furniture.
Why You Should Stop Smoking
The reasons to quit smoking are almost endless. When you add up the time and money you spend on smoking, you may be surprised at how much the habit is costing you.
Your own health and the health of those you love are put at risk each time you take a smoke. Think about how much you could gain from quitting and you’ll find the motivation you need to quit. For more great resources, visit the health section for more news and tips.
