By: Leah Molly

Eight years ago I started smoking at the young age of thirteen. 32 days ago, I quit.

I’m now aware of the amount of money I have spent on my horrible habit and the amount of time I have taken off my life every time I lit up, and for what? That is a question I have tried to answer for years. Sure we all have our excuses for smoking, like “it relaxes me”, “it helps me stay thin”, or “quitting is too hard.” None of these excuses will make up for the fact that all smokers are willing to slowly kill themselves.

I’m one of those people who loved smoking and never thought I would quit. I’ve attempted it before and I don’t know how this time might be any different than the last. However, like I said before, I now realize what I was doing to myself. Fortunately, some people only realize the risks of smoking when they enter adulthood because most people start in their teens. Unfortunately, some might never realize the harm they are causing.

The first three days are always the hardest. Its three days of sleepless nights, cold sweats, sore throats, chronic coughs, anxiety and irritability. Once you get over the three-day hump, you will still experience some withdrawal symptoms but mostly your addiction is all in your mind. The mental addiction in my opinion is harder than the physical one. I grew up in a non-smoking family but I would say about 90 percent of my friends are smokers. The temptation to smoke again for me will always be there.

Even after 32 days I’m feeling a lot better. I wake up in the morning now and I don’t cough for an half hour, I can walk up a flight of stairs and not be as out of breath as I was before and the chest pains I felt quite frequently before are now very rare. The changes your body goes through are amazing and it makes you think about the damage smoking does to your body.

I’m always going to miss smoking, but I really want to try and do this for myself. The thing I miss the most about smoking is going outside for a cigarette with everyone at a restaurant or bar and chatting. I think I had some of the best conversations of my life while being outside for a smoke. Now, I’m usually the one left at the table or standing at the bar alone. At first, I had a lot of trouble with this. I couldn’t help but feel left out. Now, I’m at the point where I’m able to go out with my friends who smoke, but most of the time I don’t even bother. I just think to myself there outside taking five minutes off their life while I’m sitting inside enjoying life.

Not convinced? This might change your mind…
All smokers are at extra risk for:

* Coronary heart disease (for example, heart attacks);
* Peripheral vascular disease (circulatory problems);
* Aortic aneurysm;
* High blood pressure;
* High cholesterol (LDL);
* Lung cancer;
* Cancer of the mouth, throat and voice box;
* Cancer of the pancreas;
* Cancer of the kidney, and urinary bladder;
* Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
* Chronic bronchitis;
* Emphysema;
* Pneumonia;
* Influenza (the “flu”);
* The common cold;
* Peptic ulcers;
* Chronic bowel disease (Crohn’s Disease);
* Tooth decay (cavities);
* Gum disease;
* Osteoporosis;
* Sleep problems (falling asleep inappropriately and/or frequent waking);
* Cataracts; and
* Thyroid disease (Grave’s Disease).

Female smokers are at an extra risk for:

* Cancer of the cervix (womb);
* Menstrual problems;
* Fertility problems; and
* Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).

Male smokers have an extra risk of:

* Erectile dysfunction (impotence); and
* Fertility problems (problems with sperm).

For more information on how you can quit visit:

Lung.ca

Cancer.ca

[Source for health risks: Body and Health Canada]