There are plenty of reasons a person starts smoking. Maybe you watched “Rebel Without a Cause” and idolized the cool, smooth James Dean who always had a cigarette in his hand. Maybe you were the victim of peer pressure, or maybe you just wanted to light up and see what all the hype was about. For whatever reason you started to smoke, there are a million more reasons to stop.

There are countless side effects of smoking and you are probably aware of many, but here are a few more. Did you know the smell from your morning cigarette could linger on your clothes for days if you don’t wash your suit? Who wants to be in a close-quarters meeting with someone who smells like cigarettes? Not many people do.

Look at your fingernails. Do they have a yellow tint to them? Smoking causes the yellowing of not only your fingernails, but also your teeth. Many people make judgments based on appearances the first time they meet someone. Not many people are impressed by a handshake with yellow fingernails and a smile full of yellow teeth. These aren’t even the most important reasons to quit smoking.

More serious consequences of smoking include an increased risk for almost every other disease including heart disease and oral cancer. Let me say it again… almost EVERY disease!

Smoking can also be used to “relieve stress” but smoking contributes to high blood pressure as much as stress or unhealthy eating.

The smartest move you can make for your health is to QUIT SMOKING TODAY!