Smoking is a nasty habit that can lead to an array of health issues. Roughly 15 percent of Americans smoke on a regular basis. It is a habit that causes a dreadful cough that will last a lifetime. Smokers generally have yellowish teeth and even fingers, as well as a smelly house, car, and clothes. There are some obvious and serious side effects of smoking, such as lung cancer and heart disease. However, there are some lesser-known side effects and health consequences as well.

So, if you have tried nicotine gum or a smoking cessation program and still have had no luck in quitting, maybe these overlooked reasons will convince you quit for good:

1. Autoimmune disease
There have been a few studies that have proven that smoking can lead to different autoimmune diseases. The two most common ones would be rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Rheumatoid arthritis causes your joints to ache and will cause damage to your overall body. Lupus has an effect on the heart, lungs, skin, brain, kidneys, joints, and blood cells. Plus, if you are already at risk of developing an autoimmune disease, smoking will only increase your likelihood of getting it. If you are wanting to avoid these autoimmune diseases, you should consider nicotine lozenges to help you kick this habit.

2. SIDS, colic, and more birth issues
Babies that are born to a mother that smoked during her pregnancy are more likely to experience sudden infant death syndrome (or SIDS. When a baby co-sleeps with their mother and the mother is a smoker, they are 16 percent more likely to suffer from SIDS. Plus, there are other things that will affect your baby if you smoke while pregnant. It can also make your baby much more irritable and cause them to experience colic. Some of the symptoms of colic are screaming, crying for no reason, clenched fists, and drawn-up legs. Smoking may also cause premature birth or a cleft lip. So, you aren’t only affecting your health but also your baby’s by continuing to smoke.

3. Dementia and cognitive decline
Smoking not only smells bad and can damage your lungs, but it can also cause brain issues later down the line, contributing to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Sleep apnea and snoring
Snoring and sleep apnea are both extremely common for smokers. Although, these things can even become a problem for people who live with a smoker. Habitual snorers happen in about 24% of smokers and 14% of non-smokers. However, out of the non-smoker category, 20% lived in a home where they would inhale secondhand smoke. If you don’t want to give up the nicotine but want to make sure your partner and family are healthy, you could always try a nicotine patch.

5. Erectile dysfunction
A lot of people, even some smokers, hate the smell that cigarettes give off. For many non-smokers, it can even be a deal-breaker for potential partners. However, that is not the only way it can affect your love life. Smoking can make it more difficult when it comes to adult activities. A study showed that men who smoked a pack or more of cigarettes a day were 60% more likely to deal with erectile dysfunction.