6 Reasons to Quit Smoking This New Year's: Incentives Beyond Health

One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to give up smoking, and it is also one of the most difficult resolutions to stick to. I have been smoking for many years, and more often than not I put quitting on the top of my list of things to accomplish every year. I have always been concerned about the effect smoking will one day have on my health, but that risk seems so far away and hasn't been enough to motivate me to stay quit. This year, I have decided to quit for other, more practical reasons. If you really stop and think about it, quitting is much easier than continuing to smoke.

1. Smoking is too expensive!

If the average person only smokes one pack a day, they spend an average of 100 dollars or more each month on cigarettes. Think of all the chocolate you could buy with that money, or the number of channels you could add to your cable programming. Perhaps you could put that money aside and use it to take a much needed vacation at the end of the year. Do your own calculations - I bet you will be shocked at the amount of money you spend each year on cigarettes and related paraphernalia.

2. You cannot smoke anywhere anymore anyway!

Very few places allow smoking anymore in this country, and in some states smoking in public places is banned completely. Personally, I am tired of having to search out places to smoke when out in public. It is annoying having to get up from the table at a restaurant or bar and go outside for a cigarette. Think of how refreshing it would be not to miss out on the fun and conversation that takes place while you are outside lighting up. It would be so much easier to be able to plan your outings based on criteria other than whether or not they allow smoking.

3. No more late night trips to the convenience store!

Unless, of course, it is to stock up on candy with all the money you have saved by not smoking. More times than I can count, I have run out of cigarettes at the worst possible time. Can you imagine the feeling of freedom you would experience by never having to worry about that again, or deal with the panic that arises when you realize you have only one cigarette left and the stores have already closed?

4. No more dirty looks or irritating comments!

You know the looks and comments I am referring to. Those glares of superiority you get when you smoke while walking down the street. Those comments directed at you by your coworkers, "You wouldn't have the flu if you didn't smoke cigarettes." Never mind that the entire office has the flu. Your coworkers get sick because of germs. You get sick because you smoke. Right.

5. No more guilt for not practicing what you preach!

I tell my kids not to smoke. I tell them it is disgusting and addicting and expensive. I then go outside and light a cigarette. I would love to feel like less of a hypocrite, and I would love to set a good example for them. Even if you do not have children of your own, certainly you must admit that smoking is a nasty habit that children, and adults, should avoid. If you quit smoking, you would not feel so conflicted by that fact.

6. Space on the list for a new and improved New Year's resolution!

Quitting smoking would finally free up that spot on the top of your New Year's resolutions list. You could resolve to buy less chocolate with the money you have saved by quitting smoking, or you could try to watch less cable television.