Why Quit?

There are lots of good reasons to quit.

For starters, look in the mirror. You are an important reason to quit. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for yourself. You’re worth it.

Quitting for you
Quitting for others (second-hand smoke)

Quitting for You

Every reason you have to quit is a good one.

Here’s a few common reasons given by ex-smokers:

• I’ll save money.
• I’ll feel better and have more energy to do the things I love to do.
• My health will improve.
• I want my surgery to go as well as it can.
• I’ll have whiter teeth and fresher breath.
• My sense of smell and taste will be better.
• My clothes will smell better.
• I want to set a great example for my children.
• My friends, family and co-workers will be proud of me.

Why do you want to quit smoking?

Write your reasons down. Put them in a place where you can find them. You’ll want to go over these again and again to keep yourself motivated.

Quitting for others (second-hand smoke)

Your family means the world to you.

It will mean the world to them when you stop smoking.

When you quit you’ll be protecting your family and friends from second-hand smoke.

Second-hand smoke is the smoke from burning tobacco that other people are smoking. It can also come from the smoke being breathed out by a person smoking.

Second-hand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer. There is no risk-free level of second-hand smoke exposure.[1]

Most of the second-hand smoke is invisible and odourless. So no matter how careful you think you’re being, your family and friends still breathe in the harmful poisons.

For children, second-hand smoke is linked to the following health problems:

• Ear infections
• More frequent and severe asthma attacks
• Respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath)
• Respiratory infections (bronchitis, pneumonia)
• A greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

If you smoke around a woman who is pregnant, smoking increases the risk of problems during pregnancy and delivery. It also increases the risk of delivering babies with a low birth weight.

Adults who breathe in second-hand smoke over the long term are at a higher risk of heart disease and lung cancer.
There’s only one way to completely protect your children and family from second-hand smoke. Keep your home and car smoke free. The best way to do that is to quit smoking.