Quitting Smoking

No matter what age people start smoking - and nearly 90% of adult smokers start while they are still teens - they never intend to get hooked. They may start by bumming a cigarette or two from a friend at a party, and then go on to buying an occasional pack. Soon they realize that they can't go without that pack. They've gotten used to reaching for a cigarette first thing in the morning, after meals, or during any stressful time. They are addicted, both physically and psychologically.

First, congratulate yourself. Just reading this article is a great first step toward becoming tobacco free. Many people don't quit smoking because they think that it's too much trouble - or too difficult. They think they'll quit someday, and they keep on smoking.

Quitting isn't easy. After all, the nicotine in cigarettes is a powerfully addictive drug. It is good to have some motivation for quitting - here are some reasons you should quit.

Reasons to Quit:

* Smoking is the number-one preventable cause of death in the United States: Nearly one in five deaths in this country is related to tobacco. By quitting, you'll significantly lower the chance that you'll get cancer. It will be highly likely that you'll live a lot longer - and in better health.

* It's expensive. If you smoke a pack a day, it can cost you more than $2,000 a year. You'll be able to save the money you spend on tobacco to buy yourself a closet full of clothes, a bike, or put a down payment on a car!

* It turns your teeth yellow and it makes your breath, hair, and clothes stink.

* Smoking keeps athletes from reaching their peak performance because smokers get short of breath more easily. Being smoke-free will help improve your athletic abilities.

* Nonsmokers might not want to be around people while they're smoking, so smokers can miss out on spending time with potential friends, girlfriends, or boyfriends. And because many places don't allow smoking, smokers often have to stand outside while everyone else is inside. When you quit smoking, you'll have more freedom to go where you want - when you want.

Why is it hard to quit?

Quitting can be tough - at least for many people. Smokers may have started smoking because their friends did or because it seemed cool. But they keep on smoking because they're addicted to nicotine, one of the chemicals in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Nicotine is both a stimulant and a depressant. That means nicotine increases the heart rate at first and makes people feel more alert (like caffeine, another stimulant). Then it causes depression and fatigue. The depression and fatigue - and the drug withdrawal from nicotine - make people crave another cigarette to perk up again. According to many experts, the nicotine in tobacco is as addictive as cocaine or heroin. But don't be discouraged; about 44 million Americans have already quit smoking for good.

Helping you quit.

Get support. Teens whose friends and family help them quit are much more likely to succeed. If you don't want to tell your parents or family that you smoke, make sure your friends know, and consider confiding in a counselor or other adult you trust. And if you're having a hard time finding people to support you (if, say, all your friends smoke and none of them is interested in quitting), you might consider joining a support group, either in person or online.