This document provides reasons why someone should quit smoking. It discusses the physical, social, and psychological benefits of quitting as well as how quitting improves health, quality of life, and finances. Quitting smoking reduces health risks and the risk of tobacco-related death for both smokers and those around them exposed to secondhand smoke.

1. WHY YOU SHOULD QUIT SMOKING
To quit smoking is one of the most important
measures one can take to eliminate a possible cause
of death. Estimates say that about half of the people
who don't quit smoking will die of smoking-related
health issues. While the health benefits are numerous,
there are several other reasons to quit smoking.
The following are some reasons why you should quit
smoking

2.  Physical Benefits
 Social Benefits
 Health of Family
 Psychological Benefits
 Quality of Life
 Reproduction
 Loss of Appendages
.
 Second-Hand Smoke
 Money

3. SOCIAL BENEFITS
 Among the social benefits are that you will no
longer have to go outside a restaurant for a smoke
between courses. You won't stress about whether
your date is bothered by cigarette smoke or be
subjected to talk about what it's like to kiss an
ashtray. You will no longer have to waste time
looking for a smoking area everywhere you go. Nor
will you have to pull off the road for a smoke. Also,
you can say bye-bye to those nicotine fits during
flights.

4. HEALTH OF FAMILY
 The health of your family and friends is
compromised by Passive Smoking, which is
inhaling second hand smoke that you breathe out
or that your cigarettes give off. A smoker's kids are
at an increased risk of developing ear and
respiratory infections. If you quit, your spouse will
be less likely to develop heart disease or lung
cancer. You will also save your unborn child from
nicotine with drawal.

5. PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS
 Being able to quit smoking is a big accomplishment
in itself. Other psychological benefits include, you
feeling better about yourself, increased confidence,
and reduced guilt. You no longer need to lie about
smoking or hide the habit from your spouse,
parents or children. You will be able to get rid of
something that is controlling your life and be a good
role model for your children

6. QUALITY OF LIFE
 You will have an improved quality of life once you
stop smoking. Food will taste and smell better.
You'll have more energy, and also stop wheezing.
You can enjoy playing sports or going on hikes with
your buddies without getting out of breath. You'll
also have more time, which you would have
otherwise spent smoking, emptying ashtrays,
searching for lighters, buying cigarettes, checking
you've got enough, etc. Not smoking will also
translate into better health that will make you less
susceptible to colds and minor illnesses.

7. REPRODUCE
 Smoking affects ones ability to procreate. If starting
a family is on your agenda, it is advisable to quit.
Men who smoke have a lower sperm count and
more abnormal sperm than nonsmokers. Women
who smoke have increased difficulty getting
pregnant as compared to nonsmokers, and also
have a higher rate of miscarriages during
pregnancy.

8. LOSS OF APPENDAGES
 Some people who smoke regularly over a long period of time develop a disease called
"peripheral vascular disease". It causes the narrowing of the blood vessels which restricts
blood flow to the hands and feet, which leads to gangrene and the eventual amputation
of limbs.
The health benefits one experiences from quitting smoking are multifarious and can be
experienced almost instantaneously. Within 20 minutes of quitting, your blood pressure
decreases, pulse rate drops and body temperature of the hands and feet increases. After
about 8 hours, the carbon monoxide level drops and the oxygen level in a smoker's blood
increases to normal. In 24 hours your chance of suffering a stroke decreases. The body's
amazing regenerative powers kicks in after just 48 hours, with nerve endings that start
regrowing. Between 2 weeks to 3 months, ones circulation improves, walking becomes
easier and lung function increases. Starting from 1 month after you quit, coughing, sinus
congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease. A year after you quit, your excess
risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half of that of a smoker, and eventually,
your stroke risk will be the same as that of people who have never smoked! Every year
after you quit, your risk of developing cancer of the lungs, mouth, throat, esophagus,
bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
Everyone agrees that quitting is not easy. Many people encounter weight gain, irritability
and anxiety in their efforts to quit, but these are short-term effects. Also, it can take
several attempts before one is finally able to quit. While some stop "cold turkey", others
reduce gradually. The process can be aided by programs (even residential ones exist),
counseling, medicines and products that help reduce nicotine addiction. However, be
aware that the medications have side effects, so read the fine print and consult your
doctor on what you should take. On an average, smokers lose 10 years of their life
because of smoking. So quit right away and reclaim your life.

9. MONEY
 Money is a great motivator, and you will save tons
of it if you quit smoking. It may surprise you to know
that you'll probably be able to afford a cruise from
the money you'll save in a year. A typical pack a day
smoker spends over £112 a month and nearly
£1,500.00 a year! You'll also save money on dry
cleaning and don't forget that smokers pay higher
health insurance premiums.

10. SECOND-HAND SMOKE
 Secondhand smoke is tobacco smoke that affects a nonsmoker.
Secondhand smoke can come directly from a cigarette or other lit
tobacco; it may also be exhaled by a person smoking.
 Secondhand smoke is sometimes referred to as environmental
tobacco smoke (ETS), involuntary smoking, or passive smoking.
 Secondhand smoke contains the same cancer-causing and lung-
damaging chemicals that affect smokers. Repeated exposure to
secondhand smoke over many years can cause damage to a
nonsmoker's lungs that is similar to that of a smoker's.
 Secondhand smoke is the most important risk factor for cancer
among nonsmokers, far greater than other known cancer-
causing substances. Secondhand smoke is most harmful to:
 Children and spouses of smokers, or anyone who lives with a
smoker.
 People who spend most of their time in confined areas that are
filled with tobacco smoke.