Because although you WILL gain weight right after you quit – in the long run, you’ll lose it. That’s according to the Endocrine Society in San Diego. They found that though ex-smokers gained a few pounds in the eight weeks after quitting – they actually lost weight and belly fat in the long run, after 6 months. And they had less nicotine and carbon monoxide in their systems. So go ahead and quit. You’ll live longer, you’ll feel better, and once you make it past the first 8-weeks, you’ll lose weight.