Every puff is not just a habit. It is a quiet step that changes you from the inside before you even notice it on the outside. First, your blood vessels suffer. They constrict, forcing your heart to work overtime to push blood through. Oxygen in your cells is replaced by toxins. Your skin loses its elasticity and takes on a grayish tint β this isn't age, it's a reaction to poison. Your teeth yellow, your hair becomes dull, and shortness of breath becomes a constant companion, even when walking at a leisurely pace. Your lungs are the main filter. They stop being able to cleanse themselves, turning into a breeding ground for inflammation. But it's not just your body that suffers. Your nervous system suffers too. Without the next dose of nicotine, irritation sets in, along with anxiety and an inability to concentrate. The illusion of calm turns out to be a vicious cycle of addiction. The most frustrating part is that your body is always ready to recover, as soon as you stop getting in its way. Within just a couple of weeks without smoke, your breathing becomes deeper and food tastes brighter. It's a choice between a fleeting, dubious pleasure and a long life in which you feel energetic, not addicted. Think about it β is your health really worth trading for ash?