There are many reasons to quit smoking.  First, smoking kills, what with the many life-threatening diseases linked to it such as heart ailments, cancer, among others.  Smoking is also known to have health risks on pregnant women while affecting the reproductive system of men.  Indeed, the health hazards that smoking pose are good reasons enough for smokers to quit smoking.

One of the leading causes of deaths not just in the United States but also around the world is heart disease.  According to official figures, an estimated 1.5 million smokers died prematurely in the year 2000 due to heart disease.  Cigarette smoking has been proven to increase the risks of heart disease since it increases the blood pressure that results to blood clot. 

Another reason to quit smoking is because smoking can lead to cancer.  The general belief is that smoking leads to lung cancer, which is one of the most dangerous types of the disease.  However, smoking also causes other kinds of cancer such as cancers of the liver, abdomen, mouth, kidney, bladder, and esophagus.  Smoking causes the growth of cancer-inducing chemicals in the body called carcinogen, resulting to the various kinds of cancers that are linked with smoking.

Yet another reason why smokers need to quit smoking is the adverse effects of cigarette smoking on the reproductive system of smokers.  Researches suggest that those who frequently smoke are more likely to suffer from impotence, as the quantity of blood which flows directly to the male reproductive organ decreases.  In fact, there is one research that suggested that men who smoke manifested a 26% increase in risk of impotence.

Smoking reduces the lifespan of sperm while impairing sperm motility.  In 2002, one study claimed that men who frequently smoke are more likely to have a lower sex drive and engage in less sex.

Pregnant women also have enough reasons to quit smoking.  There are many negative effects of smoking on unborn babies.  For instance, pregnant mothers who regularly smoke may give birth to premature babies or children with low birth weight.   Smoking also is the culprit of the increasing mortality among infants.   On the other hand, smoking among pregnant women can also increase the chances of the infants getting diabetes or becoming obese. 

Another reason for smokers to quit smoking is the fact that smoking can make them look older.  Premature aging is usually connected with smoking as wrinkles develop faster among smokers compared to non-smokers.  Other age-related diseases that may develop quickly among smokers are cataract, tooth loss, gum diseases, hearing loss, balding or grey hair, and incontinence.

Smokers fortunately have many options that can help them in effectively putting a stop to their habit. Many medications have been developed to address the psychological and physiological factors that impede smokers from successfully quitting smoking.  For example,  quit smoking hypnotherapy allows smokers to adapt a non-smokers’ attitude which helps them in easily resisting the urge to smoke. 

There are also patches and gums that have been developed to replace the need to have nicotine in the body.  The development of these approaches is another good motivation for smokers to quit smoking.

*** See full list of stop smoking products and lung detoxication methods. Also all natural and alternative medicine, electronic cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapy can be your first step to break smoking habit!