12 Reasons to Really Quit Smoking

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I am very happy to see so many people say that they have quit. Congratulations!
I still do not understand why people feel the need to call each other names, use harsh language, or be extremely unpleasant in order to express their opinion. I read a lot of articles like this, including the comments, and toward the end of the comments people aren't talking about the article anymore, they are spending their words bashing the authors of the comments.
I'd like to point out that this particular article, while very controversial, did a really good job of providing me, the reader, with information. This article also cites numerous amounts of scientific information regarding the study of tobacco and its effects on humans. And, as with any scientific evidence, it is all worded very carefully so that if information ever becomes available against its findings, the researchers and authors of the cited reports can easily disregard their findings because of the use of words like; "may", "could lead to", or "linked". That being said, shouldn't we focus on the message of the article, and not the scientific research cited within?
Many are probably wondering by now, because I didn't come out and say it in the first sentence, whether or not I smoke. Well, I began smoking when I was 11 years old. As I type that, I realize how ridiculous that is, but it’s true. From 11 until 26 I didn't really give a thought to smoking. It was something that was part of my life, and because of it, I formed a way of life that literally took place in between cigarettes.
After about 15 years of smoking, watching my older brother quit successfully, and having my father go under the knife for a 94% clogged corroded artery (after two strokes), I decided that maybe the time had come for me to quit smoking.
For all those comments that bring to light how hard it is for some quit, I agree completely. But the fact that something is extremely difficult really has no place in a pros/cons list for smoking. Choosing to alter a chemical and physical habit that your body has come to depend upon will always be hard, but just as stress can cause health problems, a clear head can benefit your health.
What really sealed the deal for me was not my father's health, it was not articles such as this, it was not smoking bans, and it most certainly was not what got me started smoking; peer pressure. When I finally realized what the decision to smoke represented about me, I understood that no amount of trickery, repetition, or habit replacing substances could ever take the place of making a DECISION. Knowing what cigarettes were doing to my body, then choosing to smoke despite knowing, indicated a mentality that I have come to refer to as the F*** It Mentality. (This mentality applies to many other things also)
I encourage everyone to quit, and feel that they should be supported to the fullest. But, if you are a smoker and choose to keep saying "F*** It", say it to yourself and not to others.

Andrew Raitz of KY 8:04PM January 04, 2009

I think that all of you need to be a smoker and understand how hard it is to quit even though you know the harm that smoking can cause. I have been a smoker for over 10 years now and my husband and I are trying to quit. It made my husband shake so bad it was like he was having a sesure. The pain that is felt through out your body as it tryies to get over having no nicotine is horrible. Don't judge us smokers because we do not judge you non smokers!

Jayme F of UT 3:21PM January 02, 2009

I am a man who smoked for 34 years. When I hit my 50th birthday year I made decision enough was enough. I bought the patches and toothpicks and hard candy. I kept on the stronger nicotine patches 4 weeks, medium ones 4 weeks, then least mg ones for another 6 weeks just to be sure. I had boxes of toothpicks in the cars, on my desk, and kept some with me always. I also used hard candy - but go easy its hard on the teeth. When I had quit the patches I was 14 weeks and felt pretty good. March 1 2009 will be 2 full years. Make your decision, get the patches, and go for a walk when the urge hits you. You can do it!

Randy C of MA 11:23PM December 18, 2008

As my 88 year old mother lay dying of COPD, with several exotic mechanisms maintaining her tiny body, she asked of her sister,"Would you bring me some cigarettes?" I smoke my one or two unfiltered straights a couple times a night, and ask, as did Isreali Prime Minister Golda Maier, "At my age, what vices have I left?" Thanks.

Sidonia S. Schumann of NC 4:32PM December 18, 2008

"Correlation does not equal causation"- DC
DC you really do not know what you are talking about. You may want to substitute "does" with "may." Did you think that turning your lungs black was a good idea? Maybe you need to take a look at a dissected cadaver with black lungs. There's a long list of compounds known as carcinogens (cancer causing) found in cigarettes among a crap load of chemicals I would not touch as a chemist. The reasons are there DC of why things happen. You just have to get up and look for them instead of talking out of your rear. This way you'll know why you develop emphezema later.

SC of LA 1:12PM December 17, 2008

Addiction is the issue not denial. Most if not all people who smoke already know that it's not healthy for you. I wish it were a denial issure it would sure make it alot simpler than it actually is. It seems so easy to sterotype smokers and blame the habit and not the addiction. Treat the addiction kick the habit. I know I have smoked for over 15 years and have quite twice. Best wishes to those of you who are trying to quite. It can be done!

JB of IA 8:19AM December 12, 2008

Do any of you know how hard it is to stop smoking?Its like being an addict you just dont stop because someone tells you,what about the drinkers who kill every year & then they glorifly drinking with all the tv adds,oh the holidays are here & its worse.We do not drink but its an addication also.If I want to puff a few I respect the non smokers rights,They should have a smokers room for people like me,respect my rights

christine murray of NY 5:12AM December 03, 2008

I believe that it is the person at hand's decision as to what they want to do with their own life. If they are willing to put their life on the line for the relaxation achieved from the inhalation of nicotine, all the power to them.
I heard talking of the universal health care plan, putting an end to cigarettes as a whole.
This should not be the case.
-Anonymous smoker

Anon of NH 11:19AM November 29, 2008

The second comment below me intrigues me so I want to rewrite it in the true voice of the commenter.
"I saw we live in a country where we have freedom of choice. Freedom of infecting cancer to people. Freedom have giving asthma to others. Freedom of having people smell our clothes. We pay higher premiums for life insurance, health insurance, and such so stop the lectures already. Because if no one tells us about the higher premiums, then we can pretend our families enjoy having to sacrifice their education, health, ability to get ends-meet, and how much they care for me in order to feed my selfish act. Should no one be allowed to drive sports care because they are dangerous? Which is a valid metaphor because we all know that sports care physically gets up and kill people. It's definitely not the fact that the driver consciously drives over the speed limit. You all should forget about that rationale. And besides, we'd all be driving Volvo's how interesting would that be? Because you know, Volvo's automatically changes our habits and makes us immediately obey the speed limit. Long live USA and our right to smoke. Until we die of cancer. =)"

Revist of AL 5:29PM November 27, 2008

Those who say that people have the freedom of smoking is right. But what those people are ignorantly unaware of is the fact that those who are smart enough to not to smoke are at the mercy of second hand smoking of the idiotic smokers. So yes you do have the right to smoke but you don't have the right to give us cancer, you idiot. Smoking is for small minded people.

MLFO of AK 5:18PM November 27, 2008