Quitting smoking triggers swift health enhancements, with noticeable changes like improved respiration and boosted vitality occurring within just three days. The long-range advantages are even more profound, including a 50% reduction in heart attack risk within 12 months and a similar decrease in lung cancer mortality after a decade.
The rising cost of smoking provides a strong financial incentive to quit. Thinking about what you could spend that money on can be a motivator.
Smoking can hinder fertility and increase risks during pregnancy, affecting both the mother and child. Quitting improves chances of conception and reduces risks of ear, nose, and throat problems, respiratory conditions, obesity, and diabetes in children.
Quitting protects family and friends from the harms of secondhand smoke, reducing the risk of wheezing, asthma, and infections in children.
Write down your reasons for quitting and place these notes where you’ll see them regularly (e.g., fridge door). If there are places where you usually smoke, stick a reminder there in case you feel tempted.
When a craving hits, look at a photo of someone special to you (like a family photo). This serves as a reminder of why you decided to quit.
Tell family and friends about your quit plan so they can offer encouragement when you’re struggling.
