I can’t stand smoking. Seriously, I really can’t. As a former smoker, I’m the kind of person who despises it most. I used to love smoking more than almost anything else in life. I was that person who swore I’d never give it up, no matter what anyone had to say. I didn’t need to hear their nonsense; I could make my own choices.
Well, smokers, here’s some reality for you! Just stop it! Smoking doesn’t make you look cool anymore; that trend died back in high school. You once might have felt like a rebel, with your arm out the window, flicking ashes into the breeze. But now? You just look foolish. Nobody smokes like they used to! It’s banned in restaurants and bars across the country. People want to enjoy their meals without a thick cloud of smoke hanging over them. Nothing screams fine dining quite like a dirty ashtray filled with old butts. It’s disgusting.
Take a look at Hollywood! The biggest stars aren’t puffing on cigarettes in today’s films. Instead, they’re using herbal alternatives in shows like Mad Men, where characters used to smoke like chimneys. Now, smoking is a category for ratings, right alongside violence and nudity. You even see celebrities getting called out in tabloids for lighting up. If that’s enough to make headlines, maybe it’s time to reconsider your habit.
I get it; you only smoke when you drink. But that excuse is weak. Did you know that combining smoking and drinking heightens your risk for oral and lung cancers? Why would you want to take that chance? You know the dangers, yet that doesn’t seem to stop you.
According to the CDC, “Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including more than 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure.” That’s about one in five deaths annually, or around 1,300 deaths every day. Smokers, on average, die 10 years earlier than non-smokers. Imagine what you could do with an extra decade. Think of how many of your grandchildren’s t-ball games you could attend or how many more nights you could spend curled up with your partner watching TV. That’s what matters, not your nicotine fix.
If none of that resonates with you, consider the financial aspect. Want a reality check? I quit smoking 11 years ago. At that time, I was smoking about a pack and a half daily. I plugged some info into the Smoke Free app to see what quitting did for me. Beyond the health benefits, I discovered an astonishing figure. I’ve saved over $34,000 by not smoking! That’s a staggering amount! I might not know where that money went, but I’m sure it’s been spent on far better things than cigarettes.
I also have children now. I definitely don’t want them seeing me with a cigarette in hand. How can you tell your kids not to smoke if you’re doing it right in front of them? You have to practice what you preach. I’m not a hypocrite. And while we’re on the topic of kids, don’t smoke near mine. Remember, secondhand smoke is responsible for 41,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Keep that harmful habit to yourself.
If looking silly, risking your health, and draining your finances aren’t enough to deter you, smoking also ages you prematurely. Your skin becomes wrinkled and dry. You might have wanted to appear older the first time you lit up in college, but I bet you’ve changed your mind about that. And how’s your smile? Do you really want yellow, nicotine-stained teeth? I don’t think so.
I urge you to quit! I’m not looking down on anyone; I understand how difficult it can be to stop. I know firsthand how hard it is. But don’t you think dying is worse? While I’m a former smoker, I still worry about the long-term consequences of smoking. I was told to quit, but I thought I knew better. I was foolish and self-centered.
By choosing to smoke, you’re choosing to harm yourself slowly. You’re choosing to leave your loved ones behind. Watching you suffer will be painful for those who care about you. Remember that the next time you want to light up. Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, there are people out there who genuinely care about you. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for them.
And think about what you could do with that $34,000.
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Summary:
This article passionately urges smokers to quit, drawing from the author’s experiences as a former smoker. It highlights the many negative aspects of smoking, including health risks, financial costs, and the impact on loved ones. The author emphasizes the importance of setting a positive example for children and encourages readers to consider the long-term consequences of their choices.
Keyphrase: quit smoking
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