Evescafe

We no problem doing the healthy thing when it's easy, like switching from whole milk to 1%; or when we see fast results from our behaviour, like moisturiser skin or lifting weights. But the threat of potential, far-off illness or earlier death is harder to assimilate - when uoi're 25 and and addicted, when smoking is something you lile to do, it's not surprising that concerned friends, mind-boggling statistics, even your own consistence, aren't enough incentive to make your quit.

But they should be. Look at the facts:

Smoking is the single most avoidable cause of death.

It is directly responsible for 87 percent of all lung cancer deaths in America. In 1987, lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause deaths among women in the U.S. Smoking kills an estimated 178,000 women in the U.S. each year.

Women smokers who die of smoking-related disease lose on avearage 14.5 years of potential life.

Women who smoke double their risk for developing coronary heart disease. As if that's not harrowing enough, women smokers who also use oral contraceptives are ten times as likely as non smoking women to develop it.

Female smokers aged 35 or older are 10.5 times more likely than non-smoking females to die from emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Smoking interrupts the menustrual cycle; it's been linked with decreased fertility and early menopause.

Smoking accelerates the aging process, causing wrinkes, bad skin, bad breath and staines teeth and nails.

Women who smoke smell like smoke, which is pretty much universally considered unattractive.

How To Quit

Quitting smoking is unfalely is insanely difficult, for many reasons. Nicotine, a drug found naturally in tobacco, is as addictive as heroin. This does not mean that you will suffer any Basketball Diaries - style nightmares by trying to kick the habit - you should just be aware that the physical addiction is real. Then there are the emotional and psychological hurdles to overcome in quitting.

There are fantastic and free resources out there that offer information about and programs for wuitting. The most common advice is to keep yourself out of situations and places where you're likely to smoke; drink lot of water; and don't be afraid of gaining a little weight - you can lose it later. Exercise, knit, paint - anything to keep your hands busy and to distract you from smoking Find outlets for stress relief if you're used smoking as a way to relax.

There are nicotine replacement therapies, like the gum and the patch, that work wonders for some people. Some antidepressants have been known as well. As always, talk to your doctor.