Here are some reasons people give for not quitting smoking. Do they sound familiar?
“It’s one of the few pleasures I have left”
Is this pleasure worth dying for? A 45 year-old smoker with a lung disease called emphysemabsays: “All I have is problems. Because of cigarettes, I can’t breathe. Each and every breath I take is painful and I must take about 20 000 breaths a day. Nothing is worth this pain.”
“It is my only friend”
Smoking promises friendship, but it stabs you in the back. It steals your time, your health and your money. Worst of all, it may even take your life. What kind of friend is that?
“Smoking soothes my nerves”
The only tension smoking really eases is the craving for nicotine and the stress of not smoking! There are healthier ways of dealing with stress than smoking, people who stop smoking eventually feel more relaxed.
“It’s too late to stop, the damage is done”
No matter how old you are or for how long you’ve smoked, quitting is good for you. Your body will begin healing the damage caused by tobacco the minute you quit. It is never too late to stop and never too soon.
“I’ve tried everything and nothing works”
This time it can be different. Many smokers find that they have to try to quit a few times before they finally succeed. Learn from your past mistakes and you can make it this time.