The Benefits of Living Tobacco-Free
What do you want to improve in your life by quitting tobacco? There are many reasons to quit, whether you smoke cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, a pipe, or use smokeless tobacco. Check off some reasons you want to be tobacco-free.
Health benefits
___ I want to breathe without coughing or feeling short of breath.
___ I want to lower my risk for cancer. This includes lung cancer, oral cancer, and bladder cancer.
___ I want to lower my risk for heart disease, diabetes, cataracts, chronic lung disease, and bone problems.
___ I want to lower my risk for a serious lung injury called EVALI that may happen from vaping or using e-cigarettes.
___ I want to have fewer wrinkles, softer skin, and less gum and tooth damage.
___ I want to improve my sense of taste and smell.
___ For pregnant people: I want to reduce my risk for a miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, or a low-birth-weight baby.
Personal benefits
___ I want to be able to walk, go up stairs, and exercise without getting out of breath.
___ I want to feel more in control of my life.
___ I want my hair, clothes, home, and car to smell better.
___ I want to save time by not having to take smoke breaks, buy tobacco products, or hunt for a light.
___ I want to have whiter teeth and fresher breath.
Family benefits
___ I want to reduce my child's infections and risk for asthma caused by secondhand smoke.
___ I want to set a healthy example for my child.
___ I want to have the energy needed to play with my children and not become out-of-breath.
___ I want to reduce my family’s cancer risk.
Financial benefits
___ I want to save hundreds of dollars each year that would be spent on tobacco.
___ I want to save money on medical bills.
___ I want to save money on life, health, and car insurance premiums.
How much do you spend?
A tobacco habit is expensive. Do you know how much you spend on tobacco each year? Fill in the blanks below to find out:
A. How much do you pay for 1 pack of cigarettes, 1 cigar, 1 pouch of pipe tobacco, 1 vape cartridge, or 1 can of smokeless tobacco? $________
B. How many packs, cigars, pouches, or cans do you use each day? _______________
C. Multiply answer A with answer B:___________________
D. Multiply answer C with 365: $___________________. This is your yearly cost of using tobacco.
Besides the cost of buying tobacco, there are other costs. These include:
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Costs of cleaning your clothing, furniture, and car.
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Replacement costs for clothing and furniture.
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Medical costs for tobacco-related illnesses.
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Missed days of work because of illness.
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Higher health, life, and car insurance premiums.