There’s that one thing you know you should quit: smoking. You know it’s bad for you and everyone in your home. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug, but it is possible to quit. If you can’t go outside, quit!
Your children will most likely suffer from a variety of illnesses if you don’t. Some of them include:
1. Asthma
2. Allergies
3. Ear Infections
4. Bronchitis
5. Pneumonia
6. Coughing
7. Wheezing
8. Middle Ear Problems
As many as 300,000 children from infants up to eighteen years old suffer from these illnesses and problems each year. You have probably experienced some of these problems and illnesses as well. Children of smokers, or a smoker are more likely to become smokers themselves than those with parent(s) that do not smoke.
You can also save yourself from cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, emphysema, and many more deadly illnesses that get you in the long run. There are also many short term effects smoking has on your body. Some include a temporary raise in blood pressure, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and more.
According to answers.com, more than 400,000 deaths occur from smoking-related illnesses.
Facts and studies show that smoking is an important cause of cancers of the esophagus, nasopharynx, mouth, larynx, kidney, and bladder. It is also a cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. It has even been found to be an independent risk factor in male impotence. Smoking increases risks associated with oral contraceptive use.
There are so many reasons to quit, so many benefits. However, smoking is very addictive, and is difficult to quit. I encourage you to write down the reasons why you smoke, when you do and why. Then write down the benefits of quitting. Write down why you want to quit. Keep this in a place where you can see it. Make copies if you have to. Find your smoking triggers (stress, relaxation, smoking with a cup of coffee, etc.) and use that to help you stop. A main one could be financial. Cigarette prices and taxes are only rising. You could use that extra cash for so many other things.
Be there for your children, and allow them to grow up in a healthy, smoke-free environment.
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