Smokescreens
smoke screen (smōk skrēn) n. an action intended to conceal or confuse or obscure
Quitting is a hard thing to do. So hard, in fact, that folks can come up with very convincing reasons not to do it! They set up their own personal "smokescreens" of sorts.
So why is it so hard to quit? It’s difficult because along with all your own personal reasons for finding smoking enjoyable, nicotine is very addictive.
To put things in perspective, it helps to consider the reasons you smoke, and assess whether or not they are more important to you than the downside of smoking. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to weigh the pros and the cons.
Pros & Cons of Continuing to Smoke
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Cons: |
- It temporarily relieves tension.
- It helps me control my weight.
- It temporarily energizes me.
- It's a social thing.
- Quitting is hard work and a lot of effort; I may not succeed.
- What are your own personal "pros"?
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- Cancer – Cigarette smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, or about 125,000 people annually.
- Heart disease – Approximately 100,000 deaths from heart disease and stroke each year are attributable to cigarette smoking.
- Lung disease – Smoking is directly responsible for approximately 80-90 percent of COPD (emphysema and chronic bronchitis) deaths, over 82,000 each year.
- Wrinkles and skin discoloration.
- Yellow teeth and fingernails.
- Dry lips.
- Gum disease.
- Bad breath.
- Smelly clothes and hair.
- Smoking is expensive.
- Smokers harm others, including children, with second hand smoke – Each year, primarily because of exposure to secondhand smoke, an estimated 3,000 nonsmoking Americans die of lung cancer, and more than 35,000 die of heart disease. Childhood asthma is strongly linked to secondhand smoke exposure.
- People are always judging me.
- Nicotine is an unhealthy addiction.
- What are your own personal "cons"?
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Pros & Cons of Quitting
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- I will be proud of myself and feel more in control of my life.
- I will feel healthier right away.
- My senses of taste and smell will be better.
- I will have whiter teeth and fresher breath.
- I will cough less and breathe better.
- I will be healthier the rest of my life.
- I will lower my risk for cancer, heart attacks, strokes, early death, cataracts and skin wrinkling.
- I will make my partner, friends, family, kids, grandchildren and co-workers proud of me.
- I will be a better role model for others.I will make my partner, friends, family, kids, grandchildren and co-workers proud of me.
- I will no longer expose people to second hand smoke.
- I will have a healthier baby (if pregnant).
- I will have more money to spend.
- I won’t have to worry, "When will I get to smoke next?" or, "What do I do when I’m in a smoke-free place?"
- What are your own personal "pros"?
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- Quitting is hard work and a lot of effort, and I may not succeed.
- It’s a change in lifestyle I’m not sure I want to make.
- I may gain weight.
- My smoking friends may turn away from me.
- What are your own personal "cons"?
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