Title: 
Why Quit Smoking?

Word Count:
507

Summary:
The article is about smoking. It talks about some of the symbolisms of smoking that are established in the society. In addition, the article also enumerates four of  the reasons why chain smokers should quit smoking, including its effects on the health and life years of smokers and non-smokers as well.


Keywords:
smoking, second-hand smoke, side effects


Article Body:
Smoking is generally one of the known forms of recreational drug use in today’s society. According to statistics, millions of people worldwide are addicted to tobacco smoking. While there are less-used drugs for smoking like opium and cannabis, there are also different types of hard drugs and substances that are patronized by some individuals such as crack cocaine and heroin.

Due to the fact that smoking is one of the most famous and earliest forms of vice, it somehow established symbolisms in the society. For instance, some people associate smoking to insensitivity and individuality characteristics. Smoking also somewhat portrays social structure, for it has long been part of the cultural ways and rituals of various social groups. Another known effect of smoking in the society is the formed connotation that it is the first step of an adolescent to adulthood. Some people even see smoking as a form of rebellion among teenagers who smoke.

Moreover, as the number of smokers continues to grow each year, so does the number of people who died because of smoking. With this, medical experts and concerned organizations around the world are now recommending smokers to quit the said vice.

The following are some of the most notable reasons why one should quit smoking:

1.	Smoking gravely affects a smoker’s health.
The health is absolutely the top concern of medical experts among smokers. Yes, smoking is addictive, and yes it is a perfect tool of becoming “in” in today’s very cliquey society. But one should never ignore the fact that smoking can cause detrimental side effects to the body. 

As far as health is concerned, extreme smokers have higher risk of acquiring diseases caused by too much smoking. Among these diseases and ailments are lung cancer, pneumonia, stroke, blindness, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, blindness, and heart attack.

2.	Smoking also affects the health of those who do not smoke.
Probably the most distressing thing about smoking is that it does not only aggravates smokers’ health, but the health of non-smokers as well. Even though an individual does not smoke, he or she is not safe from inhaling second-hand smoke. 

Juts like the chain smokers, second-hand smokers or passive smokers absorb toxic chemicals and nicotine in their bodies, thus, making them susceptible from acquiring smoking-related illnesses.    

3.	Smoking can shorten years of life.
According to studies, the lifespan of a smoker is shorter compared to a person who does not smoke. Based on the studies’ estimations, adult male smokers have an average loss of 13.2 years of life. On the other hand, adult female smokers have an estimated average loss of 14.5 years.   

4.	Smoking is, indeed, costly.
A smoker may not realize it, but smoking is quite expensive. If a smoker adds up the amount of cigarettes and tobaccos he consumed in a year and multiply it to the number of years he has been smoking, the total is definitely surprising. 

In addition to this, the cost for medical treatment and health care will be most likely astounding if a chain smoker does not quit smoking.


