My Reasons to Quit Smoking

What would motivate you to quit smoking? Take a moment to fill out the smoker's self-test. Print the form and read the statements below. Then put a check mark next to the statements you agree with.

Take your time. You may discover that you have more good reasons to quit than to continue using tobacco.

_____I feel uncomfortable knowing I’m hooked on nicotine.

_____I don’t like how my hair, hands, teeth, clothes, and home look and smell.

_____I worry about how smoking affects the health of my family and friends.

_____I worry that smoking could limit my job opportunities.

_____I worry about the negative effects smoking may have on my sex life.

_____I worry that smoking may shorten my life.

_____I don't like how others look at me when I smoke in a public place.

_____I could afford to buy more things I want if I didn't spend so much on cigarettes.

_____I am (or want to become) pregnant, and I'm worried about how smoking might affect my baby.

_____I think others may judge me because I smoke.

_____I want more control over my smoking habit.

_____I don't want to become a burden to my family if I get sick from smoking.

Add any other concerns you have about smoking here:

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Congratulations! If you checked even one of those statements, you've just started a list of reasons to quit smoking. Making your list is a great first step toward getting motivated to quit, and it can be a powerful tool on your path to quitting.

Keep your list with you before you quit and for several weeks or months afterward. Look at it whenever you feel tempted to smoke, and add new reasons to your list as you think of them. It might be that the longer your list grows, the stronger your commitment becomes. But remember—even one reason to quit that matters to you is enough.