If you try to list down the reasons to quit smoking, you’d probably use up the whole day in doing so. On top of the list are the health issues that are associated with smoking. This matter is no joke and is a real cause for concern among smokers, whether they are aware of it or not. It has been found out that almost half of smokers who keep on smoking will die due to smoking-related illnesses.
Everyone knows that cancer and lung diseases pose the biggest threat on smokers’ health. Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths among smoking individuals. Studies have shown though that it is also a risk factor for other types of cancer: cancer of the throat, cancer of the mouth, and cancer of the esophagus to name a few. On the other hand, lung diseases specifically pneumonia, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis have all been proven to be caused by smoking. They are known as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) which can bring chronic illnesses and disability. The hard truth about these diseases is that as one contracts them and does not go for immediate treatment, they eventually worsen and may cause death.
Smokers are also prone to heart diseases, strokes and other blood vessel diseases. By smoking continuously, their chances of acquiring these fatal illnesses is up by 50% more compared to those who do not smoke at all. Smoking also affects the blood vessels that carry blood to the legs and arms which results to peripheral vascular diseases and blood vessels in the brain which is why strokes happen. For men who are chain smokers, they are likely to develop erectile dysfunction later on in their life.
A very important matter of concern for women smokers is that when they are pregnant, miscarriage can easily happen or lower birth-weight babies that can develop physical and mental abnormalities can be born due to their bad habit. If worse comes to worst, these babies could easily die. Women who also take birth control pills and smoke at the same time have higher risks of heart attacks and stroke.
If these facts don’t get you to quit smoking, then maybe results of studies made on years of life lost due to smoking will be reason enough to make you quit. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an adult male smoker loses an average of 13.2 years of life and that of an adult female smoker loses an average of 14.5 life years due to smoking! Just think of how much smoking can steal from you!
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