Smoking Taints Your First Impression

Revised June 2021

If you’re in the launch phase of your start-up, stress might be your middle name. Whatever you do to cope, please don’t reach for that smoke. If you’re already lighting up, please stop now.

Not only is smoking linked to many oral and overall health issues. But your nicotine habit could also turn off important business associates, such as investors. Don’t let those connections go up in smoke.

Don’t Make a Bad First Impression

• You smell: Do you realize that the smell from your cigarettes or cigars becomes part of you? It’s on your breath. It permeates your clothes, even if you dry clean your suits or launder your business casuals. It emanates from your skin. Nicotine becomes you. Being in the same room with nicotine you could send others rush to the door before things are all set and done.
• Yellow might not be your color: Smoking causes the yellowing of both fingernails and teeth. A handshake with yellow fingernails and a smile full of yellow teeth can be repulsive.
• You’re making noises: Picture yourself coughing, wheezing and rasping your way through a presentation, gasping for air and catching your breath. Does this image convey the energetic, visionary risk-taker who will earn his or her backers a healthy return on their investments?

Many people make judgments based on appearances the first time they meet someone. If you’re an entrepreneur trying to make a positive first impression, a nicotine habit isn’t helping.

Smoking can cause a lot of health issues

Serious health consequences of smoking include an increased risk for almost every other disease, including heart disease and oral cancer. Smoking contributes to high blood pressure as equally as stress or unhealthy eating.

The smartest move you can make for your business’ health and your personal health is to QUIT SMOKING TODAY! 

One aspect of running your own business that shouldn’t stress you out is dental and vision insurance for yourself and your employees. Check out our various plans for employers that offer affordable premiums, low deductibles and access to a large network of dentists and eye care providers.

And subscribe to our monthly Chatter for bite-sized information on taking good care of your smile and eyes.