Quit smoking: 100 reasons

Hundreds of people quit smoking every year. Of the approximately 3,584,300 smokers in the Netherlands, no less than 80% plan to quit their bad habit sooner or later. But yes, sooner rather than later… Because let’s face it, there is always a reason to postpone a serious quit attempt. Nonsense! With at least 100 good reasons to quit, you will remember what you are doing it for. In 2011, no fewer than 18,858 deaths occurred as a result of smoking cigarettes, cigars and/or rolling tobacco. Smoking puts you at high risk of developing a wide range of conditions, such as COPD, lung cancer, heart failure or a stroke. Yet almost every smoker thinks that things will not go so well for him or her. “My grandfather smoked too and he lived to be 100,” or “I don’t smoke that much, it doesn’t hurt,” or “I always smoke light cigarettes, they’re not that bad,” or “Stopping smoking makes you stressed , that’s also bad for you,”…. If you want, you can fool yourself into a lot of things. Therefore:

100 reasons to really quit smoking!

You can of course decide for yourself which reasons are really important to you. The great thing about this list is that there is actually something for every smoker.

Quitting smoking: for social smokers

Very socially minded? The best reasons to quit smoking are for you:

• There is no stench around me;
• I don’t always have to go outside during a fun night out;
• I am not a burden to others;
• My environment no longer has to smoke;
• I lead by example;
• Smoking is no longer allowed in pubs;
• My environment reacts less concerned when I cough;
• Quitting smoking in a group is quite fun;
• I no longer sit alone in the ‘smoking hole’ while my non-smoking colleagues are having a good time;
• The neighbors no longer wake up from my smoker’s cough;

Quitting smoking for social reasons may be smarter than you think. You can use the same social environment to increase the “pressure” a bit: you don’t want to disappoint your friends, family and colleagues by starting to smoke again. And are you having a hard time quitting? Ask those around you if you can call on them. An encouraging phone call, email or text does wonders for your motivation. You could also quit smoking with someone.

Quitting Smoking: For Money-Conscious Smokers

Are you a money-conscious smoker? Reasons for you to quit smoking are:

• I have no desire to fill the treasury;
• The health insurance premium rises faster every year;
• If I smoke, I get sick more often, which means I have to meet my deductible;
• I pay so much in a restaurant, pub or theater that I want to enjoy it, without always craving for a cigarette;
• Smoker’s toothpaste is expensive;
• I don’t want to contribute to my own downfall;
• Smoking is becoming more expensive every year;
• Quitting smoking may cost money, but I have earned it back in no time;
• A non-smoking car brings in more money;
• I don’t have to whitewash my walls as often;
• Some insurance policies are more expensive if you smoke;

Quitting smoking for financial reasons, personally I think there are (should) be better motivations. On the other hand, a motive to quit is a motive to quit, no matter how you look at it. To help yourself quit cigarettes permanently, you can create a special ticker that keeps track of how much money you have already saved by not smoking.

Quit smoking: for family people

Does your family come first? Reasons for you to quit smoking are:

• I breathe more freely, which means I snore less: more fun for my partner;
• Single and looking for a relationship? Many non-smokers don’t want to date a smoker;
• I want to get to know my grandchildren;
• I don’t want my children to die from my smoking;
• If I keep smoking like this, I might die before my own parents;
• If I get sick from smoking, my family will be responsible for the care;
• The money I save by not smoking I can spend with my family;
• My family stays healthier because they no longer smoke;
• Our house is cleaner and fresher when I don’t smoke;
• I have more time for my family;
• I am more present at school performances and outings, for example, because I no longer secretly wonder when I can go outside for a smoke;
• My partner doesn’t want to be alone;
• We want to have children;
• I am a nicer and better partner when I don’t suppress my emotions with smoking;
• I can help out with the housework more easily because I am in better shape;
• The pets live longer and healthier when I stop smoking;

Many people who quit smoking do so out of love for their loved ones. That there is no point in quitting for someone else (“it has to come from yourself, otherwise there is no point”) is a widespread misunderstanding: it is precisely by thinking of someone you love that you keep quitting smoking. easier to fill.

Quitting smoking: for bon vivants

Epicurean? You quit smoking because:

• I want to enjoy life for as long as possible;
• When I don’t smoke, I taste and smell everything better;
• I feel less stressed when I stop smoking;
• I want to climb a mountain one day, I need fitness for that;
• Living in a mobility scooter doesn’t seem like much to me;
• I am already overweight, overweight and smoking is a dangerous combination;
• I need to lose some weight, but jogging is difficult without any fitness;
• I no longer have to skip my dessert at a restaurant;
• I can eat out more often, because I am no longer bothered by the fact that you are not allowed to smoke anywhere;
• I no longer have the taste of fried tires and dead rats in my mouth in the morning;
• Ultimately, I feel better when I don’t smoke anymore;
• I smell nature much better, and the fabric softener from my shirt;
• I have more money left for the pleasures of life;
• I can sleep in longer in the morning because I no longer have to smoke before going to work;

“A satisfied smoker is not a troublemaker,” very true. And somehow, drinks and parties are more enjoyable with a cigarette, especially when your entire circle of friends consists of smokers. But on the other hand: enjoying life with an oxygen tank on your mobility scooter becomes a lot more difficult, especially when you know that you have your own (smoking) behavior to blame. So also look at the long term and know that once you have overcome the difficult quitting process, you will live more freely and longer without a cigarette.

Quitting smoking: for the vain

Do you care about beauty? Reasons for you to quit smoking are:

• No more burn holes in my clothes;
• No more burn holes in my furniture;
• My house smells fresher and cleaner;
• My nails will be less yellow if I stop smoking;
• I don’t want to look like a wrinkled sphinx at 40;
• I would rather have white teeth than yellow ones;
• Smoking is so old-fashioned;
• Walking outside with a cigarette butt stuck in your head, it seems a bit Tokkie;
• My car smells better when I don’t smoke;
• An oxygen tank doesn’t look particularly sexy either;
• I don’t want a smoker’s voice;
• My smoker’s cough doesn’t sound particularly appealing either;
• The smell that surrounds me repels people;
• I appear less stressed when I stop smoking;
• If I smoke I am more likely to have dentures;
• With the money I have left over when I stop smoking, I can buy something nice for my house or myself;
• I want pink lungs instead of black ones;
• I want a fresh complexion;
• Smoker’s toothpaste on the sink is so weak;
• I feel embarrassed when I come up the stairs panting;
• I don’t want to be left behind on a sporting day out;
• My hair no longer smells of smoke;
• I smell my perfume better;
• I am more attractive to my partner;
• I am proud of myself when I manage to quit smoking;
• People respect me when my quit attempt is successful;
• An ashtray on the table detracts from my home;

Of course, beauty is fleeting, but with a cigarette, things only fade faster and faster. It is a fact that smoking leads to a gray complexion, a worse skin condition, yellow nails and fingers, poorer teeth and a decrease in your condition.

Quit smoking: for your health

Quitting smoking for the sake of your health is really recommended. But why again?

• Less chance of lung cancer if you stop smoking;
• Less chance of COPD;
• Less chance of laryngeal cancer;
• Less chance of oral cancer;
• Less chance of a stroke;
• Less chance of heart failure;
• Less chance of heart disease;
• Less chance of Alzheimer’s;
• Less chance of periodontal disease;
• Less chance of a pulmonary embolism;
• Quitting smoking benefits your fertility;
• Less chance of thrombosis;
• Better rested, less chance of sleep apnea;
• Quitting smoking improves blood circulation in the skin;
• Improvement of physical condition;
• Smoking increases the risk of diabetes;
• Smokers often have higher blood pressure than non-smokers;
• Smoking increases the risk of arthritis;
• Mothers who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have a child with asthma;
• Less chance of a child with cot death;
• Less chance of getting ALS;
• Less chance of developing bladder cancer;
• Less chance of miscarriage;
• Less chance of bronchitis;
• Less chance of varicose veins;

It is now becoming obvious, but the fact remains: smoking kills you sooner. And not only earlier, but the way in which it is done is often not the most pleasant way to meet your end. It is also better for the health of the people around you to quit smoking, just like it is for the health of your pets. Do you find it very difficult to quit smoking? Create a ticker (found on the internet) that shows how your health is improving because you no longer smoke. For example, you can see when the nicotine has disappeared from your blood, how long it takes your lung functions to recover and when the risk of cancer and heart disease decreases. This will make you more motivated to keep quitting.

You see, there is always a good reason to quit smoking. Good luck!