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8 reasons to quit smoking.

Addiction:

Smoking tobacco was probably started in 1000 BC by the Mayan Civilisation and was never really commercialised until the 17th century. It was made popular during the second world war where soldiers were given cigarettes to boost their fighting morale. However, it was also around this period that the first ill effects of smoking were reported.

I was hoping that cigarettes were never invented. Why? They are nothing but trash. They are basically pieces of paper wrapped around tobacco leaves and then laced with thousands of poisons. They hook you up with one single puff, and leave millions craving for their attention. Many others are dying, dead or suffering.

Before you light your next cigarette, here are 8 solid reasons to quit smoking. Do not be part of the dead, dying or suffering statistics.

1.It makes your heart work harder. Most people die younger from circulatory problems than lung cancer. Cigarettes contain 2 main important chemicals namely nicotine and carbon monoxide. Nicotine speeds up the heart by about 20 heartbeats per minute with every cigarette. It also makes arteries all over the body become smaller, causing the heart to pump harder through the 'shrinking' arteries. Carbon monoxide combines with the oxygen in your blood to deny you of oxygen in your body. So here is what you get, an overloaded heart!

2.It dresses up your lungs with a thick black coat. Tar from cigarettes get stuck to your lungs (and mouth and lips and throat and gullet). This is the very same raw material used to build roads. So there you go, a nice, well-tarred respiratory system!

3.It turns people off. Most people do not like smokers. I used to be a smoker, and I didn't even like smokers around me! The main reason is the 'choking' and smelly smoke that cigarettes produce. It stinks your breath and clothes. It stains your teeth as well.

4.It robs you of your hard-earned money. Cigarettes are very expensive in my home country, Singapore. Rather than use the money to finance these tobacco companies, why not use it to travel or buy the things you like.

5.It keeps you awake. Nicotine is a stimulant and therefore it will keep your mind awake. This will definitely worsen the situation for people suffering from insomnia.

6.Smoking destroys our male sex cells, making it more difficult to conceive a baby. Pregnant women who smoke have an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth. The child might also suffer from reduced verbal and
mathematical ability.

7.Unless you live in an island of your own, you are exposing your smoke to your loved ones. Those around you have to suffer from your second-hand smoke. Passive smokers are at a higher risk of contracting the nasty diseases related to smoking than smokers. Do think of your loved ones!

8.You age faster. It causes premature wrinkling. So if you do not wish to look like 40 years at the age of 30, it's time to snuff out that butt, for good!

George is a freelance writer and you can find more stop smoking tips