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Why should I quit smoking?
There are many reasons why quitting is important:
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Smoking is bad for your health.
Smoking is responsible for 420,000 deaths each year
in the U.S. That's one in every five deaths! It's a leading
cause of heart disease, cancer, and lung problems.
-
Smoking harms others. Secondhand
smoke not only makes non-smokers uncomfortable, it also kills
over 50,000 of them each year. Babies who breath secondhand
smoke are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS).
-
Smoking is unattractive. Smoking
stains your fingers and teeth, creates wrinkles on your face,
and leaves a stale smell on your breath, hair, and clothes.
-
Smoking is expensive. If you smoke
a pack a day, you spend over $1,800 a year on cigarettes. Being
a smoker also raises some of your insurance costs.
How do I quit smoking?
Some people choose to quit "cold turkey" (all at
once) while others prefer to stop gradually. Listed below are some
tips to help you through the quitting process. Remember, different
things work for different people, so if you're having a hard time
with one method, try another.
Before you quit
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Set a quit date and mark it on your
calendar.
-
Write down your reasons for quitting,
and look at them often.
-
Figure out when, where, and why you
usually smoke. These are your smoking "triggers."
After you quit
-
Remove smoking reminders
like cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays from your home and
workplace. Consider cleaning your furniture and carpets to
remove the smell of smoke.
-
Be aware of your
smoking triggers and think of things you can do instead. If
you used to smoke when you were stressed, try exercising instead.
If you used to smoke after a meal, brush your teeth instead
and see how clean your mouth feels. If you used to smoke when
you went out with friends, suggest gathering at a place where
smoking isn't allowed.
-
Many people find
that they eat more when they stop smoking (because quitting
awakens your taste buds, and because eating keeps your mouth
occupied). Be sure to watch your meal portions, drink plenty
of water, and snack on healthy foods like raw vegetables.
Even if you do gain a few pounds, it's still much healthier
than smoking.
-
Reward yourself
for not smoking. Take the money you save by not buying cigarettes
and spend it on yourself. You deserve it!
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