Why Quit Smoking?

It’s hard to believe that in this day and age some people still ask the question “Why quit smoking?”. It seems that even though we are enlightened as to the dangers of smoking there are some that are still to stubborn to quit or think that bad health will not happen to them.

Many people find smoking repugnant. It starts out utterly harmless but in the long run, it can be negatively habit-forming. Smoking, any way you look at it, is a dangerous thing to start. You never know if you’ll end up among the growing mortality statistics, until it’s too late. So if you are among the cigarette smokers who would still opt to persist in what you perceive to be a cool or glamorous habit of always having your face framed in clouds of smoke, you are in for an unpleasant surprise a few years down the line.

Why quit smoking? You may ask. Well, aside from not making you look like a dried-up wrinkly prune, quitting smoking may likely address the hacking coughs, eliminate the stench, regain optimum body functioning, and overcome the dependency, which can put a mental and emotional strain on the smoker.

Medical experts say smoking cigarettes can actually take 10 years off your life. Make that 10 years of productive life, lost because of the crippling or debilitating diseases that smoking can lead to. Just consider how smoking can trigger/exacerbate ailments, on top of making people age quickly and looking hideous (with yellowish, badly wrinkled skin).

Indeed, for decades medical experts have studied the numerous links between smoking and many serious illnesses, notably lung cancer, heart attacks, stroke, impotence & fertility problems. While some bruited solutions like nicotine medication will trigger side like nausea & vomiting, agitated sleep, distressing feelings and flatulence to many others, quitting early has many far-reaching health benefits. US surgeon generals have noted how kicking the cigarette habit can serve as that single, huge step smokers can take to add years to their life and life to their years.

So the answer to “Why quit smoking?” is simple – for a longer, healthier and more active life!

The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Quit Smoking Medication

Thinking about quitting smoking but not quite sure how? There are numerous aids that can help smokers who want to turn a new leaf, but one must first deal with or alleviate the nicotine withdrawal symptoms that can lead them back to smoking.

Some of the methods range from regular application of the nicotine patch to chewing of nicotine gum, use of nicotine lozenges or nicotine inhaler, to popping doctor-prescribed nicotine pills and related quit smoking medication. A method which may work for some may not be that effective for others.

Some quit smoking medication that helps reduce the craving to light a cigarette/tobacco and ease withdrawal symptoms are the Bupropion (Zyban) and the Varenicline (Chantix). Intake of these medications requires a doctor’s close supervision, especially because they are not appropriate for smokers with special medical conditions.

Taking Bupropion is not advised for people prone to having seizure disorders (particularly epilepsy) or are grappling with an eating disorder like bulimia or anorexia. If you plan to take `quit smoking’ medications, you also need to be aware of unfavorable interactions with other drugs. Moreover, alcohol intake while on a quit smoking medication like Ibupropion may escalate risk of a seizure. Buproprion may also cause dry mouth syndrome (which leads a person to develop mouth or gum disease) and insomnia.

The other drug, the FDA-approved prescription medication, Vareniclin, is likewise not suited for individuals with specific conditions like skin problems/allergies, pregnancy, and kidney ailments. As with other drugs, there are side effects that pill-poppers may suffer. Among those connected with Vareniclin are nausea, and weird dreams.

Benefits Of Quitting Smoking

Campaigns against smoking have been the focus of many organizations around the world. To effectively put this message across, display of very graphic visuals of smoking side effects is the most popular method being used to illustrate how dangerous smoking is. Since the ’scary tactic’ is now working well enough as expected, it is time to focus on the positive side. Below are two great benefits of quitting smoking.

Reason #1. Personal benefits: This can be divided into 3 - physical, emotional, and psychological. On the physical aspect, if you quit smoking, you will notice that you will be rid of the nasty cigarette smell that clings to your body; you will not have bad breath or any oral problems; your eyes becomes clearer, not yellowish or discolored; skin looks healthier, organs and tissues are intact and healthy, and you just seem to glow inside out.

Of course, if you see that your body and your face are glowing, you will feel good about yourself. You will have high self-esteem and confidence. All these good feelings just radiate, making you feel happier and more optimistic - a sign of healthy emotional state. If everything is in order, you feel good; and when one feels good, one is motivated. A motivated person is productive and accomplished. Moreover, the benefits of quitting smoking give one the chance to improve self-image because confidence is regained.

Reason #2. Social benefits: Naturally, if you feel good, you look good, and you view yourself in a positive way. This gives you an I-am-the-king-of-the-world-attitude as you go out with friends and enjoy all the best things that life has to offer, one of which is living your life to the fullest.

And, of course, among the benefits of quitting smoking is also that fact that you won’t have to step outside to have a butt any more and once the cravings are gone, you won’t be distracted from what you are doing by the constant pull of the nicotine addiction.