Why You Need to Quit Smoking

Posted on January 2, 2016 by leadrecovery

shutterstock_200108399Smoking has detrimental consequences to both the physical and emotional wellbeing of people who are addicted. Family, friends and loved ones are also affected by an individual’s addiction to nicotine, including children. Quitting smoking may seem easy but, in fact, is one of the hardest habits to break. Here is why a person should consider quitting an addiction to smoking.

Nicotine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state cigarette smoking results in more than 480,000 premature deaths in the United States every year. Tobacco contains approximately 19 hazardous chemicals which cause cancer, including nicotine. There are more than 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco, alone.

 

Cigarettes deliver nicotine to the body within 10 seconds of inhaling. Withdrawal effects and symptoms begin mere hours after the last cigarette is smoked. Irritability, depression and lack of sleep also make up harmful physical and psychological effects of quitting a smoking habit.

Reasons to Quit

Smoking is a dangerous habit with life-altering consequences including death from addiction to nicotine. For individuals seeking information on how lethal smoking can be, the following information may be helpful.

 

  1. Cigarette smoking is attributed to nearly 90% of all lung cancer cases identified and diagnosed. Many other cancers have been associated with smoking, including secondhand smoke and its effects on others, especially unborn children and babies.
  2. Over 440,000 Americans die from tobacco use on a yearly basis.
  3. Infertility risks in women of childbearing age have been researched and identified.
  4. A person’s life span drops dramatically dependent on two factors: how many cigarettes are smoked and length of time a person is a smoker.
  5. Some common side effects of smoking include asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, gum disease, tooth decay and vision loss (including increased risk for glaucoma).

Treatment

Dependence on smoking is no joke. Serious health consequences can arise from an addiction to cigarettes and nicotine. There are some steps a person can take to help kick the habit. Various over-the-counter drugs, smoking cessation programs and peer group activities are available to help quit smoking for good. Nearly 85% of smokers who try to quit without any sort of assistance or counseling end up relapsing. If quitting is a challenge, seek help. Speak to loved ones, friends or a doctor who can begin the process of getting back on track and off nicotine for good.