Giving Up Smoking

Article by James Christie

As National No Smoking Day approaches, why giving up smoking can lead to whiter teeth, ten great reasons to quit and why the most powerful man in the world has just kicked the habit

March 9th is a time when many of us think long and hard about giving up smoking. That’s because it’s National No Smoking Day and ditching the habit can save us money, reduce wrinkles and even perk up our love lives.Throwing the cigarettes in the bin or on the fire can also make your teeth look whiter and improve your dental health. According to the organisers of National No Smoking Day, “nicotine ends up staining your teeth yellow and puts you in line for gum disease and tooth loss”.

Some teeth-whitening procedures can help boost your appearance whether you smoke or not. But smokers are far more likely to have discoloured teeth.

Still not motivated to quit? Here are ten other great reasons to nip nicotine cravings in the bud.

1. Kiss goodbye to smoking – a survey conducted by National No Smoking revealed that more than half of us (57 per cent) would be put off kissing by smokers’ breath. Women are more resistant to smoky snogs than men (58 per cent to 56 per cent).

2. Sisters are doing it – on the subject of gender differences, did you know that one in 12 ladies stubbed out their last cigarette on 2009′s National No Smoking Day? It’s a figure which should inspire the fairer sex and stir men into action!

3. Money – you really could save a packet by stop buying packets. Giving up your 20-a-day equates to a £42 weekly pay rise; money that you could save to cover the cost of a flight abroad for a weekend break at the end of the month.

4. Skin -the National No Smoking Day website advises that smoking ages and dulls the skin by 10 years. Not a great look!

5. Cellulite – Smoking increases your risk of having cellulite and also makes you store fat around your waist; a recipe for ‘muffin tops’.

6. Hair – smoking deprives your hair of oxygen, leading to brittle and lifeless hair. Want to restore the shine to your locks? Then quit – you really are worth it.

7. Smell – the aroma of nicotine is hard to shake off breath, hair and clothes. You might not be bothered by it but your non-smoking work colleagues, family and friends probably are.

8. Spice up your sex life – that cigarette, top heavy with burning ash, can lead to a drooping libido. A post-coital cigarette is a strong tradition in Hollywood movies but cigarettes and bedroom happiness don’t always go together.

9. Your love life – arguably even more important than reason number eight is the effect smoking can have on your romantic chances. A 2009 survey found that 38 per cent of us like a minty kiss and 20 per cent favour a fruit-flavoured kiss. No one in the poll mentioned a nicotine-flavoured kiss.

10. Role models – Finding a famous role model who has given up smoking could be just the spur you need. Earlier this month it was announced that US President Barack Obama had finally given up smoking. Obama had made a campaign pledge to his wife that he would give up before running for the White House. He did a crafty U-turn when in office but finally saw through his policy in February 2011 after years of cadging cigarettes from his aides. His motivation? He wanted to look his daughters in their eyes and say he had given up. What’s your motivation?

Many smokers in an effort to cover up the signs of their habit, opt for teeth whitening. London dentist Ethicare is one of many practices which offers help with home whitening and in-house procedures.

About the Author

James has been a journalist for four years.

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