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STOP SMOKING
The experience of being an
ex-smoker
This list will help you to identify some of the specific
ways in which the quality of your life improves after stopping.
Health statistics are a helpful source of information about
the dangers of smoking, but your own experience will be
far more relevant to you. It's important to remember what
it was like to be a smoker, and exactly what it cost you,
in all kinds of ways. Some frequently reported benefits
are:
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More energy
Improved sense of taste & smell
Improved breathing
Improved voice
Clearer, less irritated eyes
Cleaner, healthier teeth & gums
Fresher breath
Clearer thinking
Feeling more relaxed
Less sleep needed
Wke up feeling better
Improved blood circulation, warmer fingers & toes
Improved blood pressure
Fewer headaches
No sore throat
No wheezing or smokers cough
No more pains in chest or legs
Better chance of a longer & more active life
Much lower risk of emphysema
Much lower risk of circulatory problems
Diminished risk of many cancers, especially lung,
larynx & oral cavity
Lower risk of stroke
Later onset of osteoporosis (brittling of the bones)
Less risk of gastric and duodenal ulcers
Less heartburn & acid indigestion
Lower risk of pneumonia & bronchitis
Reduced risk during a general anaesthetic
Lower risk from other drugs and medications, such
as contraceptive pills
Fewer allergy and sinus problems
Fewer and shorter colds
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Improvement in existing problems
such as asthma, diabetes & emphysema
Later onset and fewer problems during the menopause
Lower risk of male impotence
More satisfying experience of sex
Improved sports performance
More active & productive
More money
Better job opportunities
Better insurance rates
Freedom from restrictions on smoking
Cleaner home and car
No burnt clothes or furniture
No more smelly ashtrays
Less risk of starting fire
Safer driving
Great sense of accomplishment
No more fears about consequences of smoking
Freedom from dependency
Increased self-confidence and self-respect
No longer smelling like a smoker
No nicotine stains on fingers
Looking younger
Improved complexion
Fewer wrinkles
Improved scar healing
Feeling in control
Desire & confidence to make other positive changes
More positive view of life
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This is not a complete list! There is,
for instance, a large number of serious physical conditions
that smoking either creates or makes worse. There is no
part of your body that smoking does not affect because it
keeps high levels of poisonous chemicals in your blood stream,
and blood is supplied to every cell in your body. Every
cigarette you smoke affects you this way, from the first
cigarette you ever smoked. It's just a matter of time before
the symptoms get dramatic, but smoking affects you long
before that.
The difference in the healing of scars is interesting because
it is so easily measured. A study was made of a group of
women undergoing the same minor routine operation. The group
of 120 included 69 smokers. After healing, the smokers'
scars were almost three times as wide as those of the non-smokers.
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