Persuasive Letter

A Friendly Request: Quit Smoking

Dear Jason,

I trust that this letter finds you in good health and cheerful spirits. I am writing to you as a friend who cares about your future and welfare. Our friendship has developed and grown into something that I value over time. We have laughed, dreamed, and grieved overstep on this journey, but no matter what, I have always been so in awe of your strength and courage: Persuasive Letter.

That is why I wanted to talk to you about something significant: your smoking habit. I understand you might feel like it’s just part of life or a coping mechanism you can not live without, but I sincerely believe it’s preventing you from living your healthiest, most vibrant life. I am writing to ask you, as someone who deeply cares about you, to consider quitting smoking because your health, future, and the people who love you all deserve the best version of you.

I remember this one time a few months ago when you came over after work, and we just  sat and chatted on the porch for hours. On that evening, you were smoking more than usual, and you had a long coughing fit. You brushed it off, but I couldn’t. I had a knot in my stomach watching you wheeze for air.

I did not respond then because I did not want to seem overbearing about the matter, but I remember it. Every single time I watch you light a cigarette, I think of how much I would hate to see something happen to you. This is not about judging; this is about fear and love.

I care for you, and there’s no way I can bear to sit back and let that amount of harm become a regular part of your day. You are too crucial to allow this habit to destroy your health and your time and possibly take your life.

Let’s look at this from a more practical angle as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, responsible for over 480,000 deaths per year. That’s nearly one in every five deaths. Smoking adversely affects almost every organ in the body, especially the lungs and heart, and it  dramatically raises the risk of cancer, stroke, and chronic respiratory disease.

Above and beyond health, there is this little matter of the financial cost; it costs thousands of dollars to smoke a pack a day for a year. That money could be used for travel, hobbies, or even invested in your goals. It doesn’t make sense when you calculate the price and the risk against the immediate satisfaction of a cigarette.

I believe there are healthy alternatives to coping that don’t put you and everyone else at risk. Numerous people have derived comfort from activities such as walking, journaling, or talking to a friend. I really think that you can find other outlets that do not harm your well-being but enhance you.

I am not writing this as one who thinks she has all the answers; I am writing as your friend. We help one another through difficult times, and I hope that gives me the credibility to speak frankly. I know other people who have quit smoking and witnessed the transformation.

A colleague of mine who had been a smoker for 15 years was able to give it up only after she resorted to a combination of nicotine patches and counseling. At first, she said, it felt impossible, but three years later, her energy is back, her breathing is clearer, and her confidence has skyrocketed. Change is difficult, but it is also possible, and you are more than capable of making it. I would not be coming to you with this if I didn’t think you were strong enough to do it.

I also feel I must acknowledge that quitting smoking is not about just dropping a pack and walking away. It is a behavior that can be bound to feelings, routines, and even identity. There will be cravings, crankiness, and second-guessing. But you’re not alone in this. I want to do this journey with you.

Whether that’s looking into quit-smoking programs with you, accompanying you to appointments, acting as your accountability partner, or even just answering the phone when you need to talk, I am here. Programs such as QuitNow and the SAMHSA helpline also provide tools and counseling to help make the process doable. You don’t have to be perfect; you have to start.

You are so much more than your smoking. You are talented, you are capable, you are caring, and you are worth so much. Envision all the ways your life could be brighter and healthier, with nothing holding you back. You could breathe more easily, live longer, and feel better for your own sake and for those who love you.

That is why I am asking you to please consider quitting smoking. Not someday or tomorrow, but now. You will thank yourself in the future, as will the rest of us who love and care about and rely on you.

With all my heart, this letter gives you the courage to take that first step toward a smoke-free life. I believe in you, and I will be here to support you every step of the way. You are loved, meaningful, and worth it today and every day.

With love and hope,

Christina.

Works Cited

CDC. “Cigarette Smoking.” Smoking and Tobacco Use, CDC, 17 Sept. 2024, www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/index.html.

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ASSIGNMENT 2

2)For this capstone, you will write a one page persuasive letter to a specific individual, aiming to change their perspective or encourage them to take action. Your letter should be personal, respectful, and grounded in both logic and emotion. Include references.

Persuasive Letter

Some examples of persuasive letter topics include:

• Asking a neighbor to reduce excessive holiday decorations
• Encouraging a relative to take a gap year
• Persuading a grandparent to support a school budget
• Convincing a friend to make a lifestyle change