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this post is in appreciation of the 35th anniversary of the first “Smokeout”, actually the November 18, 1976 “Don’t Smoke Day” (D-Day) in San Francisco sponsored by the California Division of the American Cancer Society which received national (all 3 major national networks at the time ) and became a national event thereafter. The third Thursday of November each year, just one week prior to Thanksgiving is the Great American Smokeout. About 45.8 million Americans still smoke and most studies show more American smokers would like to quit smoking than those who don’t want to quit. Here are some great reasons to quit:
1. Retire Early(or take a nice vacation every year) on the Savings: If you smoke 1 pack of cigarettes a day for a year, at an average cost in Washington State where I live and work at the average cost in WA of $9.89/ pack you spend $3609.85 a year on cigarettes alone. If saved the 3609.85 annually and invested it at only 4% you would have $111,794.17 in 20 years. It would be more if you invested daily or monthly. Quit smoking now and you can be a long way towards a retirement fund. You may also live to retire. (I admit Washington is the second most expensive state to buy cigarettes in the U.S.)
2. It Stinks: Any non-smoker can tell you that they can smell the odor of cigarettes on your clothing, hair and body from several feet away. By quitting smoking you will avoid smelling repulsive to the majority of others in society.
3. Live Longer and Better: The average smoker dies 7 years earlier than the average non-smoker, and estimates of the time lost per cigarette smoked is 7-10 minutes per cigarette. The whole issue is really much more complex that this, but without doubt quitting smoking can add significant time to the average person’s lifespan.
4. Better Sex for Longer: Smokers have a much higher incidence of peripheral vascular disease, and erectile dysfunction is often the result of vascular disease. Quitting smoking can lead to a better sex life for many smokers.
5. Dying of COPD is Among the Worst Ways to Die: This is my personal opinion, but I’ve taken care of people who have died nearly every common cause of death. Respiratory failure has to be among the least desirable way to die. Being essentially immobile, gasping for air while on oxygen for months or years, and finally dying of a respiratory infection that leads to inability to breath is not among the ways I hope to die.
6. Get Your Kids/Grandkids/Spouse/…. Off Your Case: Nearly every smoker I see in the office comments that their loved ones are hoping the get them to quit, and often annoying them with encouragement and pestering. Why not change all that to congratulations and positive reinforcement after you quit?
7. Feel Proud that You Quit: Most smokers would like to quit smoking. Most who do tell me that they are happy and proud that they were able to quit. Join the ranks of proud ex-smokers.
Please leave comment with more and better reasons to quit. I’d love to have this post be a place for smokers to find the right reason for them and quit themselves. There is no time like today!