We all know that smoking is bad for us and that we shouldn’t do it. But have you ever really thought about how that unhealthy habit is affecting you and what it is doing to your health?

It is worth remembering that all drugs can have unwanted side effects and that smoking is no different.

Here are some “side effects” of smoking.

• Cancer: It is widely recognized that smoking can cause lung cancer. But I did know that it also increases the risk of cancer of the lips, tongue, mouth, nose, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, pancreas, cervix, vulva, penis and anus. There are also associations between smoking and cancers of the stomach, kidney, liver, and blood.

(That should be enough for anyone to immediately quit smoking! But there’s more …)

• Diabetes: Smoking increases blood sugar levels, making it even more difficult to control high blood sugar levels caused by diabetes. Some of the health complications caused by type 1 diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes, are made worse by smoking.
• Blood circulation: Because when you smoke, your blood carries less oxygen and more plaque, you are more likely to suffer from dangerous blood clots and strokes. Back pain and blockage of the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, ears, and other organs can also affect it. This can lead to poor circulation in the hands, feet, and extremities, which can cause severe pain, especially when exercising, and can result in gangrene and amputation.
• InfectionsSmoking will damage the lining of your throat and lungs and weaken your immune system, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to take root in your body.
• Respiratory problems: In the long term, regular smokers are more likely to have some degree of emphysema, a disease that causes progressive respiratory distress, as smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that can be transported from the air into the blood. As a smoker, you will be more prone to asthma attacks because smoking narrows your airways.
• Aging: You will appear prematurely aged, as wrinkles will appear around the eyes and mouth earlier and more deeply than in a non-smoker. A woman who smokes tends to reach menopause a year or two earlier than a nonsmoker or ex-smoker because smoking reduces the amount of estrogen in the body and is more likely to develop osteoporosis, the weakening of the bones that accompanies aging.
• Audience: You are likely to lose your hearing sooner than a non-smoker and will be more susceptible to hearing loss due to ear infections and loud noises. This is due to decreased blood flow to the inner ear as a result of plaque build-up on the walls of the blood vessels.

If you are tempted to smoke, or already smoke, here are some strategies for the next time you want to light up. However, I feel that “the decision” is the most important thing. If you don’t make the “decision” to quit, you will never be able to.

On the other hand, if you make ‘that decision’, you will do it even if it is not easy. Once you’ve made the decision, if you feel the need to ‘light up’: –

1. Stop, drink some water, take a deep breath, and find something else to do;
2. Try to eat healthy foods and get some extra exercise;
3. Recognize that social pressures can affect your decision not to smoke;
4. Get help and support from family and friends;
5. Quitting smoking is challenging: it will help you believe in yourself;
6. Overcome this challenge and you will be ready to face other challenges;
7. Find new ways to deal with stress and difficult emotions;
8. Be proud to say “No, thank you.”

I hope this helps you “make that decision” to quit that unhealthy habit of smoking and experience the benefits of quitting.

The ‘side effects’ of smoking are far worse than the withdrawal symptoms or the ‘side effects’ of quitting.