Whiter teeth, healthier lungs, less risk of cancer, cleaner-smelling breath, more money for necessities or fun … there are many excellent reasons to quit smoking.

Here’s another one you may not have considered: A fuller social life. A study published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research found smokers who quit grew their social networks in the first few years after kicking the habit. The study lasted several years and involved about 700 heavy smokers who participated in several interviews. Many of the participants quit smoking during the study.

On average, participants were 46 years old, and about 60 percent were female. Nearly three-quarters of them reported adding at least two new friends. The researchers noted that people who quit smoking tend to break off relationships with those who continue to smoke.

There are several possible explanations for the expanded social circles. One is that many smokers spend a lot of time with other smokers, so if you give up that time on the curb, you could spend it meeting new people or getting to know others better. You might take up a new hobby, or just focus more on relationships in general.

Another explanation is that you may be more appealing to some non-smokers once you’ve ditched cigarettes, one study author says. Some people are turned off by telltale signs of smoking. But if your clothes and breath don’t smell like smoke, people who eschew smoking or who are trying to avoid reminders of a habit they worked hard to abandon may be more apt to spend time with you.

So consider dropping an unhealthy habit and adding more people to your contacts list.