Reasons for Not Smoking

by Don Hooser

Personal health: Smoking increases the risk of ...

• Cancer of the lungs, mouth, esophagus, breasts and other forms of cancer.
• Emphysema, pneumonia, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.
• Insufficient oxygen in the blood, difficulties in breathing.
• Heart attack, stroke, vascular constriction and other cardiovascular diseases.
• Impotence and infertility.
• Weakened immune system, ease of catching infections and contagious diseases.
• Smoker's hack and raspy voice.
• Shortened life span.

Health of others: Those in the smoker's environment can suffer ...

• All of the above health problems as a result of secondhand smoke.
• Miscarriages, damage to the fetus, lowered birth weight, and lowered IQ of
  children when a pregnant mother smokes.
• Babies dying with SID (sudden infant death) and other causes.
• Nursing babies suffering from contaminated breast milk.
• Children being influenced to smoke.

Quality of personal and social life: Smoking usually results in ...

• Addiction—chemical, psychological and social.
• Loss of smell and taste.
• Alienation—damage to and reduction of personal relationships.
• Greater difficulties getting a job, finding a partner to marry.
• Ostracism from nonsmoking areas.
• Reluctance to go to nonsmoking events or to be in nonsmoking groups.
• Quandary of where to dispose of cigarette butts without littering.
• Domination of one's life, including the fear of running out of smokes or matches.

Personal life, hygiene and appearance: Smoking leads to ...

• Breath odor, body odor and foul-smelling clothing.
• Stained and yellowed teeth and hands.
• Premature aging and wrinkling of skin.
• Increased fire risk in homes.
• Dirty and yellowed walls, ceilings and furniture.
• Smelly upholstery, draperies and furnishings.
• Stale indoor air in homes.
• More lost days from work.
• Loss of productivity and effectiveness while on the job.
• Auto accidents caused by driver smoking.
• More of other types of accidents and increased sickness.
• Higher insurance rates.
• A huge, continuing expense of easily $1,000 a year for a pack-a-day smoker!

GN, November-December 2002