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The benefits of quitting smoking

If you use tobacco, quitting smoking is the #1 thing you can do to improve your health. Check out all the wonderful benefits that quitting can provide.

Source: Health Services

Quit smoking to REDUCE the risk of...

Cardiovascular diseases including
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (weak spots in heart vessels)
  • Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
  • Stroke (which can lead to death or paralysis)
  • Heart attack
  • Peripheral vascular disease (circulatory problems)
  • High blood pressure
Cancers of the
  • Bladder
  • Esophagus
  • Kidney
  • Larynx
  • Blood (leukemia)
  • Lung
  • Mouth
  • Pancreas
  • Stomach
Respiratory diseases including
  • Pneumonia
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Emphysema/COPD
  • Influenza (the "flu")
  • The common cold  
Other health benefits include reduced risk of
  • High cholesterol (LDL)
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Chronic bowel disease (Crohn's Disease)
  • Tooth decay (cavities)
  • Gum disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Sleep problems (trouble falling asleep and/or frequent waking)
  • Cataracts
  • Age-related macular degeneration (eye disease that leads to blindness)
  • Thyroid disease (Grave's Disease)
  •  Hip fractures
  • Low bone density
Female smokers will reduce the risk of
  • Cancer of the cervix (womb)
  • Menstrual problems
  • Fertility problems
  • Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)
  • A low birth weight baby or pregnancy complications  
Male smokers will reduce the risk of 
  • Erectile dysfunction (impotence)
  • Fertility problems (problems with sperm)

More benefits of quitting smoking

More time for yourself More money   More energy/vitality 
Increased life expectancy Better quality of life Increased sense of control/more freedom
Feel more socially acceptable Reduced embarrassment House, hair and clothes will smell bette
Decreased risk of diseases for others from second-hand smoke Decreased guilt of harming family Be more considerate to non-smokers, children and animals
Build more, and effective, coping skills Become a good role model Increased sense of self-esteem
Feel proud of yourself Others feel proud of you Decreased dry mouth
Decreased sore throat Increased confidence in setting and achieving goals Decreased coughing
Decreased yellow teeth/fingers/hair Skin won't age as quickly/better skin Increased sense of taste
Increased sense of smell Better and more sex Be calmer/more focused
Get a new identity Don't support tobacco companies anymore Decreased negative impact on the environment
Freedom from nicotine urges and cravings Decrease nagging feeling of always wanting to quit Decrease chance of a house fire
Back to quitting smoking


 
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