Most people smoke cigarettes because of nicotine addiction. This can be really bad because nicotine increases cholesterol in the body and also dramatically increases the risk of heart diseases. Nicotine isn’t the only damaging ingredient in cigarettes, though.

Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemical compounds and 400 toxic substances. There are a number of other health risks posed by smoking. Here are just some of the major ones:

• Cigarettes contain tar which is the leading cause of lung cancer.
• Cigarettes raise the risk of heart attacks, by increasing one’s blood pressure.
• Cigarettes  can cause gum diseases and oral cancer
• Cigarettes  cause obstructions in the wind pipe and can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
• Cigarettes  are likely to cause fertility problems
• Cigarettes  affect our immune system and makes us vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections.

These are just some of the health risks posed by regular cigarette smoking. On the other hand, quitting smoking offers a number of benefits that can turn your life around.

• You immediately reduce the level of risk of lung cancer and heart attacks.
• Your body starts receiving more oxygen and you start feeling more energetic and fit.
• Your facial skin (which can become dry and itchy due to lack of oxygen) will return to its natural glow.
• You will find yourself falling sick less often.
• You will find significant reduction in dental problems like receding gums and halitosis.
• Taste buds that were deadened with regular smoking will revive and you will have more pleasure when eating.
• Your lung power which gets reduced with smoking will increase and you will not face breathlessness.
• Most importantly, you will see a huge boost in your self confidence. If you can kick a nicotine addiction, you will find yourself capable of handling far more complex and difficult situations.