10 reasons to quit smoking - NOW

You'll spend less time at the dentist It goes without saying that people who don't smoke have whiter teeth and fresher breath than those who do, but according to experts at the American Dental Association, smokers also have more gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. And did we mention they also have a greater risk of developing oral cancer?

You'll have better hair You may know about the effect smoking has on your skin, but did you realise smokers are four times more likely to go grey early compared with non-smokers? Health researchers from Lancashire also claim there's a link between smoking and hair loss in men too.

You'd have a lower risk for dementia Heavy smokers have more than twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, say US researchers. The risk increase is linked with smoking two packs a day.

You'll have more luck with the opposite sex Various surveys say more than half of people who are dating wouldn't consider going out with a smoker... Statistics also suggest 20 percent of people have dumped a boyfriend or girlfriend because they smoked.

You'll be more fertile Smoking is believed to make it harder for women to conceive, as experts think it affects ovulation. It also makes sperm more sluggish too. Not just that, but studies suggest women who smoke go through the menopause earlier than non-smokers, which means they have fewer fertile years.

You may avoid an ectopic pregnancy When you do start trying for a family, smoking could quadruple your risk of having an ectopic pregnancy (that's when an egg implants itself outside the womb, usually in a Fallopian tube). Women who have an ectopic pregnancy may end up with reduced fertility, since if the condition isn't spotted early enough the only way to remove the egg is by also removing one of the Fallopian tubes.

You'll have better hearing Researchers from Antwerp University claim smoking could cause permanent hearing damage because it stops blood flow to the ears.

Your home will be safer Smoking is one of the biggest causes of house fires, say experts. Indeed, researchers suggest a third of people who die in house fires in this country are killed by a blaze started by cigarettes. Yet fewer than half of smokers realise their habit is to blame for all those fires.

You'll get more work done Dutch scientists claim smokers take more breaks at work as well as take more days off sick than people who don't smoke. Some companies, however, including local councils, are trying to make smokers work extra hours to make up for the cigarette breaks they take during the day.

Statistics suggest smoking-related diseases cost the health service around £1.7 billion a year - so by giving up, you'd also be doing your bit to support the NHS.

Trying to quit? Ask your pharmacist about stop smoking services, including advice on using nicotine replacement therapy products. For your nearest participating pharmacy visit www.allabouthealth.org.uk