My Public Service Announcement

As I rode the bus to work this morning, I was looking out the window and I saw a woman light up a cigarette, take a long drag, and exhale. And I exhaled right with her. I could almost feel the smoke stinging my lungs and the back of my throat. I really wanted a drag right then, but just as quickly, the craving passed. They say cravings can take over 18 years to go away. I quit smoking on May 5, 2001. Cold Turkey. One of the best things I ever did. If you smoke, you should quit. So now, without further ado, here is my Public Service Announcement. (This is for you Mom and Dad!)

If you quit smoking, you will...

...reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke, and will reduce your chances of getting lung cancer, emphysema, and other lung diseases.

...have better smelling clothes, hair, breath, home, and car and you will have fewer wrinkles.

...be able to climb stairs, walk without getting out of breath and be free of that morning cough.

...save tons of money! You can treat yourself to new books or music with the money you save from not buying cigarettes.

...add years to your life. Based on data collected in the late 1990s, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that adult male smokers lost an average of 13.2 years of life and female smokers lost 14.5 years of life because of smoking.

If you quit right now...

Within the first 24 hours of quitting, blood pressure and heart rate return to normal, carbon monoxide in the blood is eliminated, and the lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.

And check out these 10 overlooked reasons to quit smoking.

Thanks for not smoking!