But what about when things aren't going so well? For smokers, you can't get away from all the well-intentioned, logical reasoning for why you should quit smoking. And the numbers are down overall, with less than half the amount of people smoking today then did so in 1964, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Less talked about are the obstacles encountered when starting down the road of smoking cessation. Let's look at some of the lifestyle changes you'll have to endure that anti-smoking campaigns tend to conveniently overlook when espousing the virtues of a smoke-free life.
After all, it’s these forgotten factors that making kicking the habit so darn difficult.
It Will Change Your Social Scene
Depending on how long you've been smoking, you may have spent years hanging out in stairwells, on sidewalks outside bars, in alleyways or overlooking friends' patios into backyards as you enjoy a toke. Although it seems like an inconvenience, taking a quick timeout from a public gathering is often a happy break for smokers.
Especially at bars and house parties, the quiet of the outside is a welcome place to have more intimate conversations with a friend or significant other. Smoke breaks let you have one-on-one time interspersed throughout a night of yelling over the music.
Alternatively, going outside by yourself and bumming a cig from another smoker is a great way to start a conversation. When you quit smoking, you may feel insecure thinking up a conversation starter at the bar. Not to mention feeling like an awkward bystander sitting around watching everyone else enjoys an office smoke break.