How Will Facts About Smoking Help?

My 21-year-old daughter has just started smoking and I would like to be able to dissuade her from this habit. Are there facts about smoking that could be useful in helping her quit? What facts about smoking can I use to convince her to give up such an addiction? 

All facts about smoking lean toward the negative. Smoking brings absolutely no positive effects whatsoever to the smoker and the people around him. The physical repercussions are alarming, all of which lead to possible long term damage. The most common ailments brought about by smoking are often related to the cardio-respiratory system. Lung conditions such as emphysema, tuberculosis, and bronchitis are more often than not caused by smoking. Smoking is the chief cause of cancer, lung or otherwise. Heart disease can be directly attributed to nicotine, the primary chemical used in cigarettes. Nicotine contributes to the narrowing and constricting of the arteries, further burdening the heart and causing arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure.

Facts about smoking point to seemingly milder yet equally alarming physical conditions. A common manifestation is stained teeth, fingers, and hair. Premature aging and the appearance of wrinkles are also observed in young smokers, as well as shortness of breath, tension and nervousness, and even impaired hearing. Indeed, these disturbing facts about smoking should be enough to dissuade even the most foolhardy of youths.

If the physical ramifications seem insufficient, consider the other effects caused by such a habit. One of the salient facts about smoking that may be relevant to teenagers is bad breath. Dental hygiene and constant brushing will eventually be no match for cigarettes. This is an effect that escalates as time goes by. The sense of smell and taste also diminishes as the habit grows. It won’t be long before subtle aromas and tastes will escape the smoker.

Some of the most important facts about smoking involve money. A pack-a-day smoker spends almost $750 a year on cigarettes alone. As the price of cigarettes rises, so does this figure. Add in the money spent on buying smoking paraphernalia, like lighters and matches, ashtrays, cigarette holders, and lighter fluid. And the detrimental economical facts about smoking don’t end there. Smokers get sick more often than non-smokers. Smokers often miss an average of 7 work days, often unpaid. Insurance rates are also considerably more expensive for smokers. Consider medical expenses incurred from smoke-related illnesses, lost pay from sick days, and extra insurance premiums. You do the math. Smoking is an expensive habit. You’re better off spending your hard-earned cash elsewhere.

The facts about smoking also point to psychological effects (e.g. crankiness and belligerence, lower intelligence, etc.), environmental concerns (e.g. cigarette bugs and used matches littered everywhere), and safety matters (e.g. vehicular accidents, accidental bush fires, etc.). A smoker’s life expectancy is considerably lowered every time he lights up.

If you care enough about your family and friends, share the startling facts of smoking today. In this case, what they don’t know will hurt them. Indeed, there is much to loose and little to be gained by smoking.