11 reasons to quit smoking: Low sperm count, depression

Most habits start early in life and, in the long run, these habits become as natural for us as breathing, sleeping, and eating.

Cigarette smoking is one foremost example of such a distressing tendency, nay addiction, gone askew. It is also a paradox, really. On the one hand, we have strong evidence to suggest that cigarette smoking is dangerous to health. On the other, both cigarette companies and the media continue to play a colossal role in making cigarette-smoking eye-catching and enthralling to adults and kids alike. Not only that. They also glamourise smoking in print, on television, and in movies.

The only thing a smoker can do if s/he is concerned about one’s own and others’ health is to give up the craving – lock, stock, and barrel. But, the fact remains – quitting smoking is not easy, although it can be achieved.

As Mark Twain said, “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.” You would, perhaps, think on the same lines. Okay. But, the fact of the matter is there are good reasons to give up the obsession – and, once you achieve this objective, you will sure benefit and also add not only years to your health, but also optimal wellness to your wellbeing.

Here are 11 good reasons why you should kick the smoking lure. The earlier you overcome the “practice,” the better it is for you, your family, and also others around you

1. Two Ds: Death & disease

Smoking is evidenced to be the #1 principal cause of avoidable disease and death in the West and the East. This is what it does – cancer of the mouth, throat and lungs, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema, to name a few. Smoking can also lead to high blood pressure, elevated LDL [“bad”] cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke. In effect, a smoker’s risk of sudden cardiac death is 2-4 times greater than non-smokers. What’s more, tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, some of which have marked hazardous properties. Also, some 60 of them are known, or suspected, carcinogens [cancer-causing substances].

Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco products that “networks” with the brain and leads to addiction, or dependence. When you use tobacco products, nicotine moves swiftly throughout the body. It is absorbed through the mucosal linings, and the skin of the nose and mouth, or by way of inhalation. When drawn in, nicotine is absorbed by the lungs. From there, it moves rapidly into the bloodstream through which it reaches the brain in less than eight seconds – much more quickly than drugs.

2. Difficulty in breathing

Smoking leads to a sticky, black tar build-up in the lungs. This affects the flow of oxygen to the lungs and the blood, which carries oxygen to the whole body. This is one major reason why smokers tend to have a tough time breathing. In addition, they are susceptible to chronic coughing [smokers’ cough], thanks to increased phlegm [mucous] production.

Fortunately, the good news is – if you stop smoking, your lungs have the ability to clean up some tar and heal quickly.

3. Depression

Smoking is suggested to be a major cause of depression. Research that followed hundreds of smokers and non-smokers over a span of five years, to cull one example, found that the former was twice as likely to suffer from major depression when compared to the latter.

Remember, it ain’t too late to give up smoking. Giving up smoking can sure provide you with a sense of better control over your life. This may prove to the most useful antidote against depression itself. What’s more, it also helps you lead a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.

4. Bad influence for your kids

Smoking in the presence of your kids is a dangerous indulgence. Kids are notorious for trying to impersonate their parents. Smoking is no exception. An American Heart Association study demonstrated that 50 per cent of kids of smokers thought smoking was “cool,” and also stylish. Not only this. Over an equal percentage of kids of smokers intended to take up the smoking practice, down the line.

Smoking also reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry; it damages the arteries. This may lead to early onset atherosclerosis [hardening of the arteries], or sudden infant death syndrome [SIDS].

It may also be mentioned that kids of smokers tend to be, by and large, less active.

5. Nutritional defects

Kids of smokers have poor nutrition status, and awareness. So, there are no two opinions about it – if you are concerned about your kids’ future, stop smoking. There is nothing better than being a role model to your kids and also other kids.

6. Second-hand danger

Smoking not only affects your health and wellbeing, it also affects the health of those around you through second-hand smoke. Studies suggest that second-hand smokers are also at a higher risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease, not to speak of other respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, cough, excess phlegm and asthma – particularly in children.

7. Pregnancy complications

Women who smoke during pregnancy often develop ectopic pregnancy – in which the fertilised egg develops outside of the uterus. This is a condition that may be grave for both mother and baby. Other risks for the baby’s health may include lower birth weight and birth defects. There is also the likelihood for smoking moms delivering premature babies with notable fatality risks. Besides this, women smokers can also have a difficult time getting pregnant.

8. Reduced sperm count

Male smokers often have a lower sperm count. Most importantly, recent studies suggest genetic mutations of the sperm in smokers – this can also cause infertility and/or impotency.

9. Spoils beauty

Smokers will always look like smokers – fire at one end, and fool at the other! Jokes apart, smokers often have more wrinkles – 10 times more – than non-smokers. They have a dull, ashen skin, and countenance, yellow teeth and fingers. Want to look good, again, and make your skin glow? Just do one thing – give up smoking!

10. Bad body odour and smelly rooms

Smokers not only carry the smell of cigarettes around, the penetrative, unpleasant odour also resides in their hair and clothes. It follows them wherever they go. Bad breath is another problem that is as appalling as the smoker’s unhealthy body odour. Call this double-trouble, or what you may.

This is not all. The bad smell of smoking extends to the smokers’ homes and cars – another major “side-effect” of this very repulsive practice.

11. Expensive routine

Smoking not only burns a big hole in your wallet, it also burns a bigger hole in your health. A pack of cigarettes may cost you anywhere between Rs 20-80+ on an average. Result? If a smoker smokes a pack of cigarettes a day, it is tantamount to Rs 7,200.00-30,000.00+ a year!

Example: if an individual starts smoking at age 18 and lives till age 70, s/he would have, in effect, spent more than Rs 5,00,000.00-21,00,000.00+ on cigarettes alone!

If this is not an outrageous waste of one’s resources and one’s own health and others’ wellbeing, what is?!