There are many reasons to stop smoking beyond the major health concerns. Sometimes it is the everyday occurrences we have all experienced that point to the little ways smoking can affect our lives and relationships over time. Who has not encountered at least a few of these amusing, annoying or remorse inducing mishaps?



Your five year old niece comes running up for a hug and gets a burn from the cigarette in your hand

Ouch! How do you explain that one? This is not the kind of family story you want passed around and remembered for years to come. And you were already so self conscious about trying to prevent the smell of the smoke from repelling the children.

Fingers that get burned because the cigarette stuck to your lip when you went to remove it

Oh, double the humiliation (and the pain!). Not good for first impressions, or any kind of good impression really. Note to self: at least drink more water to avoid the dry lips issue.

Dropping your cigarette on the patio or sidewalk and having your small child in bare feet step on it. Naturally, the guilty response is to yell at them for being outside without shoes.

Who feels worse in this scenario? You always tell yourself that your smoking is something that does not hurt anyone but yourself, but once in awhile the evidence contradicts you, and often in the most public, regrettable or embarrassing way possible. And even after the incidents, you catch the kids pretending to smoke while they are playing at being adults.

Unfortunately, your habit does affect your loved ones. Especially where children are concerned, smoking can be a cause for confusion, in addition to the accidental injuries. Do as I say, not as I do is seldom an effective strategy for teaching your young ones. Then there is your increased irritability with them when you hav not been able to go for a smoke, the conversations you miss while stepping outside, and the damaged trust. Over time, these things have an impact that can be difficult to reverse.

At some point the kids will get taught about lung cancer, and how are you going to deal with their concern then? It is not always easy to be an adult and have to live by example, but impressionable young minds are sensitive to all you demonstrate to them. Realizing the effect your smoking is bound to have on people who depend on or look up to you may help you make decisions for their sake as well as your own.

It is almost worth it just to avoid that look of hurt and confusion in your favorite little person eyes, is it not?