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You smoke cigarettes despite the known health risks: Heart disease, emphysema, vascular problems, cancer. Does this frighten you at all? Regardless of the threat of smoking-related diseases, millions of Americans are still puffing away on "cancer sticks." According to the American Heart Association, 46.6 million Americans are smokers. Statistics and real-life horror stories don't seem to be powerful enough to get most people to quit smoking, because those things happen to other people, right? We'd all like to think we are invincible, but unfortunately such is not the case.

If you truly want to stop smoking, but the risk of dying doesn't phase you, then what will? If you can't wait 15 years after you quit smoking to reap the benefits (when you can say, "Hey, I'm still alive! It's a good thing I quit smoking years ago!"), then why not focus on some of the instant benefits and rewards?

Smell better- The staunch of tobacco-laden clothing is obnoxious, even to a smoker. Imagine the fragrance of your body soap or deodorant overpowering your body, rather than the stale, smoke smell. Reward yourself for quitting smoking with a scented body lotion.

Flash those "pearly whites"- Are you repressing joy in exchange for smoking cigarettes? If hiding your smile behind closed lips has become a habit due to unsightly tobacco stains, toss your pack and smile with confidence. Reward yourself for quitting smoking with professional teeth-whitening.

Join the "in" crowd- Indoors, that is. Picture this: You're mingling at a party inside someone's home, and you are introduced to a potential new client or romantic interest. After a few minutes of promising conversation, the urge hits you to step outside for a breath of "not-so-fresh" air. When you return, your new friend is becoming better acquainted with your competition. Reward yourself for quitting smoking by throwing a party (and stay indoors the whole time!).

Instant health benefits- There are some immediate health benefits to quitting smoking. The American Cancer Association (www.cancer.org) has a terrific list of benefits, both short- and long-term. How your body feels soon after you quit can be invigorating, and serve as further inspiration to quit. You might notice things such as easier breathing, lower heart rate and more energy. Reward yourself for quitting smoking by applying your extra energy into an exercise routine.

Get rich, quick!- With today's cigarette prices, quitting smoking is practically a get-rich scheme that works! Add up how much you spend on cigarettes per week, and multiply that by 52 weeks. You'll be astonished at how much you spend on cigarettes each year. Too energy-zapped to do the math? Here's an example: At $6 per pack (plus tax), three packs per week could cost you over $1,000 a year. That's a big price to pay for results that are inevitably damaging your body. Reward yourself for quitting smoking with a weekend getaway with the money you've saved from not buying cigarettes.

These instantly-gratifying perks will entice you to quit smoking. If you need more incentives, make a list of these and other personal benefits that will remind you how rewarding it will be to quit smoking. Keep your list in a conspicuous place (perhaps next to your cigarette pack!) and review it daily. Persistence is the key to achieving results, so don't give up. These short-term rewards will be partnered with the long-term reward of a much healthier life.

Learn more about this author, Carol Vickery.
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