Reduced risk of cancer Smoking causes cancer. We've all heard that. Everyone knows that lung cancer is one of the most devastating side effects of smoking. However, what is less known is that it puts smokers at risk of many other types of cancers as well, for example, mouth cancer, cancer of the larynx (voice box), bladder, pancreas and cervix among several others. Increased risk of lung disease Smoking dramatically raises the risk of lung disease such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These diseases are also known as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). They are progressive in nature and can eventually be life threatening. Heart disease The likelihood of smokers dying from heart attacks is twice that of non-smokers. It causes peripheral vascular disease, where blood vessels that carry blood to the leg and arm muscles are constricted. Makes you look bad! If you are thirty and a chain smoker, then it should be no surprise that you have premature wrinkles. Moreover, smoking also makes your breath and clothes smell bad, and gives you yellow fingernails. Risks for women Women smokers are at a higher risk of having a miscarriage or a baby with lower birth weight. Women over 35, who take the 'pill' risk heart attack, stroke and blood clots in the legs. Shorter life Smoking dramatically reduces your life expectancy by an average of 13.2 years for men and 14.5 years for women (Source: US Center for Disease Control). The bottom line is quitting smoking will help you live longer. It's expensive! Do a simple calculation multiply how much money you spend on tobacco each day by 365. The results may astonish you. Go a step further multiply this amount by the number of years you have been smoking and you'll probably fall off your chair. It's just not worth it quit today! Social acceptance Smoking is no longer socially accepted as it once was. It is banned in many public places and most work places have some sort of smoking restriction. You maybe asked to smoke 'outside' at a party. Your job application may be rejected simply due to your smoking habit. Studies show that employees who are smokers, report sick more often that their non-smoking colleagues. Since employers pay part of the employees' health insurance premiums, smokers increase their insurance costs. Concern for others Smoking not only harms you, but others around you as well. Indirect inhalation of tobacco smoke, or 'passive smoking' is a health risk to others. It can cause lung cancer and heart disease even in healthy non-smokers. Hence, the case for quitting smoking is strong. Quitting will improve your life and of those around you as well. Let us all strive for a tobacco free world.
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