Even though I have quit smoking in the last few months, the majority of the time I feel as though I have never smoked at all. But then there have been occasions that the urge to smoke has been overwhelming. When I told my oldest daughter that I quit smoking, she asked “Did you quit smoking to save money or for your health?” “Both,” was my answer. I now have financial gains and health benefits since quitting smoking.

The cigarettes I had been buying cost about $2.75 per pack. I have calculated that in 28 days, I will have saved $127.70. In a few months, I can save enough money to have some work done to the brakes on my car or get some new tires. A new computer looks pretty good after five or six months. I can even contribute some of my savings to a 401k plan and health and life insurance at work. In addition to the financial benefits of quitting smoking are the immediate improvements in my overall health.

Within a few weeks of no longer smoking cigarettes, I noticed that I don’t get as out of breath as quickly as I used to. I also don’t have that cigarette smoke taste and smell at the back of my nose and throat any longer. My clothes and hair even smell better. As a matter of fact, the fragrances of my shampoo and laundry detergent are really nice and fresh. Since my nose is not filled with the nasty, stinky cigarette smoke, I can barely tolerate the odor of cigarette smoke on other people or a room that is filled with smokers. I know, now, what it must have been like for my friends and family (the majority of whom are non-smokers) to put up with the smell of the walking ashtray that had my name on it. Along with these improvements are ones that are long lasting.

According to the American Cancer Society, even though I quit smoking only a few months ago, my lung function has already increased by up to 30%. In one to two years, my risk of having coronary heart disease will have decreased by up to half of what it would have been if I had continued smoking. The probability of contracting other lung diseases such as COPD, asthma, and emphysema will also decrease. Five years from now, chances of early death for me will have decreased by up to 50% and in fifteen years it will be as if I had never smoked..

Before I quit smoking cigarettes, I had done so for about 35 years. In the last few short months, I have seen and smelled the benefits of quitting: I have a little bit more money in my pocket and I no longer stink like a nasty ash tray. My life expectancy will also increase as time goes on and that is a long term benefit I can definitely live with.

Source: http://www.cancer.org