This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at KU chapter.
Smokers at KU come together at Wescoe Beach and light up cigarettes in between class. What made them start smoking? Maybe it was because their significant other smokes or because they wanted to try it out, but now they are hooked. For non-smokers it might be hard to understand why it is so difficult to let go of the nasty habit. We all know the facts. Smoking harms your health and can cause cancer, but sometimes hearing that information doesn’t quite sink in.
Here are eight reasons to stop smoking now:
1. You don’t smell very nice: The smell of smoke clings to everything. Your clothes, hair, furniture and car. You may not smell the smoke on you during the day, but the people in class definitely get a whiff. If you stink, you mayhave trouble picking up cute boys.
2. You look ancient: Are those wrinkles I see? Yup. Smoking can cause wrinkles. Smokers with prominent wrinkles are five times more likely to suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than non-smokers, according to a study published by the British Medical Journal. Maybe you should stop smoking now before your skin starts aging.
3. A dolla make me holla: College life is very expensive and so is smoking. Let’s do a word problem! If Susie smokes one pack a day and a pack is $5, how much does Susie spend in one week? The answer: too much. Spend your money elsewhere. Try a spa day or a shopping trip instead smoking a pack of cigs.
4. Here comes the PMS monster: Did you know that smoking can make your PMS worse? According to a University of Massachusetts study, smokers are more than twice as likely to develop premenstrual syndrome. We’re talking severe bloating and cramps. Ew.
5. Poppin’ pills: If you’re doctor hasn’t already told you, smoking while taking birth control pills is very lethal. This combination can raise your chances of heart attack. The older you get, the higher your chances become.
6. I work out: Ever find yourself huffing and puffing as you climb up the hill? If you stop smoking, it will be easier for you to breathe when you exercise and walk to class.
7. Yummy in my tummy: Food will taste so much better if you give up cigarettes. Smoking can lead to decreased taste sensitivity, according to WebMD. Once you stop smoking, flavors of the food become more enjoyable.
8. Be Happy: You will feel better about yourself once you quit smoking. Smoking can cause depression. Nicotine withdrawal begins 20 minutes after smoking the last cigarette. This leads to anxiety, which is very closely related to depression. After you kick the habit, you will start to become happier.
So, there you have it. Eight reasons to give up smoking. There are many methods on giving up smoking like quitting cold turkey, using a patch, or slowly cutting down on your intake. Make the best decision for your health, ladies!