As a tobacco user, you’re probably very familiar with the harmful effects of tobacco and that it is the number one cause of preventable deaths worldwide. You’re also most likely very familiar with the potential effects of quitting, such as withdrawal, irritability, weight gain and anxiety, just to name a few, and may often cite these as excuses for not quitting. However, have you ever considered the benefits to quitting? Quit tobacco and you may…
Save money – Tobacco products are expensive. You could easily be wasting thousands of dollars per year just on the products alone. Plus, add in any extra medical expenses as a result of your habit and more expensive health insurance.
Have more free time – Have you ever considered how much time you spend using tobacco? Five minutes for a cigarette, 20 times a day? That is over an hour of time a day you could spend doing something else. And that’s on top of the amount of time you spend obtaining your tobacco—for example, a 10-minute drive to the store, plus the additional time waiting to purchase the product.
Better control your emotions – The addictive properties of tobacco can cause you to lose control of your emotions, especially if you go awhile without a cigarette, dip, etc.
Be a positive example – Quitting can help you be a better role model for your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews and more!
Increase productivity at work – As you get closer and closer to your cigarette break, do you notice your focus start to wane? As your body starts to withdraw from nicotine, you may lose your ability to concentrate. At the same time, your productivity level is affected by having to step away repeatedly to get your nicotine fix.
Protect the health of others – If you’re a smoker, the secondhand smoke you create—and even the thirdhand smoke lingering on your body—can pose a threat to the health of those around you.
Improve your health – Quitting tobacco has numerous health benefits including:
- Your blood oxygen level increases and the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
- Your risk of heart attack, coronary heart disease and cancer decreases.
- Your sense of smell improves, and your ability to taste returns.
- Your circulation improves and your lung function may increase.
- Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; increased ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
The longer you stay quit, the greater the benefits! Get started today…
- Set a quit date.
- Tell family, friends, and coworkers you plan to quit.
- Anticipate and plan for challenges.
- Remove all tobacco products and paraphernalia from your home, car and work.
- Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit.
