"A cigarette is a pipe with a fire at one end and a fool at the other." I am sorry if it hurt you. But is it not strange that even after knowing the huge dangers of smoking, you still cannot give it up. You know the various hazards smoking causes, beginning from mouth cancer to lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and many other diseases. If you are just denying this truth just feel ok while smoking and think that smoking may not harm you then you are destroying your health on purpose.

Remember 'bad habits are easier to abandon today than tomorrow'. Are you waiting for any damage to occur and only after then you will start thinking of quitting smoking? Wake up! Before it's too late! Read the following hazards, it might encourage you to quit smoking:

Lung cancer is the most common smoking hazard. In America, 87% of lung cancer patients are smokers. 1 smoker out of every 10 smoker can develop lung cancer. People present in the immediate vicinity of smokers have 20 to 30 percent chance of developing lung cancer.

Heart disease is the other most common disease among the smokers. In America, it was observed that smoking is the number one cause for heart disease. As you smoke, nicotine is transferred to your blood vessels which cause the arteries to get hardened which results in heart disease.

Oral cancer, another kind of dangerous cancer affects a large number of smokers. Treatment for this is very expensive and early detection of this is very important.

Emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is caused due to long term exposure to cyanide and carbon monoxide.

Strokes are the third most common reason for deaths in America. More than hundreds of thousands people die due to this. Probability of stroke is two and a half times more among smokers than non smokers.

Tuberculosis, pancreatic cancer, common colds, laryngeal cancer is various other diseases caused because of smoking. All these hazards result in death. For every cigarette you consume, you throw away 10 minutes of your life.

Now if you have chosen life and want to quit smoking here are few steps you can follow:

Step 1

The first step is to convince yourself that you really want to kick smoking habit. Within the first week you will experience the positive change in your health like more energy, better appetite, happier moods, and no more bad breath or smelly clothes.

Step 2

The second step is to decide the date on which you want to quit smoking. Write it on a calendar or you diary and on a separate blank page and stick that to the fridge or a wall which you can see every day. Remove all ash trays or lighter from your place.

Step 3

Now comes the big day, the day on which you will start the process. Make it a special occasion as it is a beginning of a new life.

Step 4

The hardest part now begins. The reality is that the first to will be very difficult. The craving to smoke will last for 3 to 4 weeks. There will be strong impulses to smoke but try to resist these for these will last for few minutes.

Try to avoid social gatherings or stress during this period as it may provoke you to light up. Quit smoking! Choose life!