Secondhand smoking, breathing in of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is also called passive smoking. It is when a person breathes in smoke given off into the environment by other people.
Secondhand smoke or ETS is a combination of side stream smoke coming straight from the burning tobacco and the mainstream smoke that is exhaled by the smoker. It comprises of over 4000 chemical constituents, a large proportion of which are the inducers of respiratory illnesses and around 40 are known or suspected carcinogens.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified ETS as a class A (known human) carcinogen along with other known carcinogens such as arsenic, asbestos and benzene etc.
ETS is unfiltered, thus the levels of carcinogens in it are much more than in smoke inhaled directly by an active smoker. Smoking of a cigarette produces smoke from two major places, mainly from the tip of cigarette and from the rest of the cigarette as the hot vapors liberated through the cigarette and its filter.
About 70% to 80 % of ETS is from the burning tip of cigarette and comprises of the highest levels of nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar and various other carcinogens. Therefore, a constant exposure to an ETS is apparently even more injurious than directly smoking a cigarette for an equivalent period.
Effects of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
Immediate effects:
Immediate effects of secondhand smoking comprise of eye irritation, cough, sore throat, headache, nausea and dizziness.
Long-term effects:
Lung cancer: The major cause of lung cancer among non-smokers is secondhand smoke. One of the studies revealed that hospitality workers who were exposed to secondhand smoke became three times more prone to lung cancer.
Cardiovascular problems: ETS can induce short-term and long-term harm to the heart by decreasing its functional capacity and lowering the capacity of blood to carry oxygen. Some of the chemicals in secondhand smoke can block or harden the arteries, causing problems like atherosclerosis, hypertension and later heart attack. In one of the studies, it was found that secondhand smoking enhances the risk of a heart attack by at least two times.
Stroke: Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke run at least 80% more risk of stroke than do the non-exposed people.
Asthma: One of the studies revealed that the non-smokers exposed to ETS at work showed at least twice the risk of asthma than the non-exposed people did. Those who were exposed to ETS at home as well, showed as much as five times greater risk for asthma than the non-exposed people did. In individuals who already suffer from asthma, exposure to ETS can
significantly decline their lung function.
Breast Cancer: Some of the recent studies have revealed ETS to increase the risk of breast cancer among women.
Effects on the fetus:
Smoking by a pregnant woman can have various serious consequences on the developing fetus.
• Babies born to women who smoked during their pregnancy have a low birth weight and are often born prematurely.
• Their organs, chiefly the lungs, are smaller than of other babies and these babies are more susceptible to cot death.
• They are more prone to illness all their life and are more likely to become addicted to the tobacco later in their life.
Effect on Children
• Kids that are exposed to secondhand smoke from either parent during the first year of their lives are far more likely to be afflicted with asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis and other respiratory problems than kids who were not exposed.
• Secondhand smoking may also predispose children to the impairment of the blood circulatory system, behavioral problems and olfactory (nasal) problems.
• It also increases their susceptibility to develop cancer during their adulthood.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
How To Quit Smoking
One of the most vicious diseases in today’s times is smoking. It makes a person baffle for air 3 times more than a non-smoker. It has very many repercussions on the life of the smoker and those around him. It leads to lung cancer and various heart diseases like asthma and emphysema. We should thus abhor this deadly disease and quit smoking.
Quitting is not easy
But to actually quit smoking is not easy, because it is an addiction. However there are very many ways and methods that help us to quit smoking for instance we can opt for acupuncture therapy or aromatherapy. We can also opt for non-nicotine cigarettes or go for precise prescription by a doctor.
But first and foremost we need to decide in our heart to stop smoking and should also fix a day for the same. Inform your family about your decision and seek for their help and assistance. Throw away all the cigarette packets, ashtrays and lighters. Stop buying any more cigarettes. Rather think of the more useful and better things that you can buy with the money thus saved. Ask the other family members also, who smoke, to stop smoking. Keep yourself busy. Exercise regularly and meditate occasionally. Eat healthy food.
After doing all this you may still feel severe urges to smoke. You may also actually retort back to it, but that’s no problem, just be persistent and bring back your decision on to the right track after this break, because most of the people are successful only after 2-3 attempts.
Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms
About 80% people retort back to smoking after once leaving it and only 20% successfully accomplish the task. People retort back due to many reasons. Some say they feel agitated. Others say that the aroma when someone lights up is irresistible. But most of them do so due to the fear of symptoms that appears after that last puff viz. weight gain, aggressive thinking, dry throat, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, dizziness, hypersensitivity to stimuli, etc. but these are all just temporary symptoms and disappear in a few days. In fact after the initial bout is over the blood pressure, heart rate, pulse arte all get back to normal. You thus need to keep your will power strong and stick to your decision for a few more days.
Some people are not able to continue with the smoke cessation programs because they say that they are costly. But this is a wrong perception because they are not costlier than the price spent for buying cigarettes. And then isn’t it more logical to spend on your health rather on a disease.
Quitting is not easy
But to actually quit smoking is not easy, because it is an addiction. However there are very many ways and methods that help us to quit smoking for instance we can opt for acupuncture therapy or aromatherapy. We can also opt for non-nicotine cigarettes or go for precise prescription by a doctor.
But first and foremost we need to decide in our heart to stop smoking and should also fix a day for the same. Inform your family about your decision and seek for their help and assistance. Throw away all the cigarette packets, ashtrays and lighters. Stop buying any more cigarettes. Rather think of the more useful and better things that you can buy with the money thus saved. Ask the other family members also, who smoke, to stop smoking. Keep yourself busy. Exercise regularly and meditate occasionally. Eat healthy food.
After doing all this you may still feel severe urges to smoke. You may also actually retort back to it, but that’s no problem, just be persistent and bring back your decision on to the right track after this break, because most of the people are successful only after 2-3 attempts.
Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms
About 80% people retort back to smoking after once leaving it and only 20% successfully accomplish the task. People retort back due to many reasons. Some say they feel agitated. Others say that the aroma when someone lights up is irresistible. But most of them do so due to the fear of symptoms that appears after that last puff viz. weight gain, aggressive thinking, dry throat, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, dizziness, hypersensitivity to stimuli, etc. but these are all just temporary symptoms and disappear in a few days. In fact after the initial bout is over the blood pressure, heart rate, pulse arte all get back to normal. You thus need to keep your will power strong and stick to your decision for a few more days.
Some people are not able to continue with the smoke cessation programs because they say that they are costly. But this is a wrong perception because they are not costlier than the price spent for buying cigarettes. And then isn’t it more logical to spend on your health rather on a disease.
How to Stay Quit once you have Quit Smoking
We have all met different people who claim that 'quitting smoking is easy.' They generally say this as they are puffing on a cigarette. Sure -- it's easy to quit for an hour or a day, but it is the steadfastly remaining quit part which is demanding.
Perhaps the most beneficial incentive for avoiding cigarettes is knowing how it rewards you. According to the US Surgeon General's report the advantages of giving up smoking begin almost straightaway and increase the longer you keep away from smoking. After just 20 minutes of nonsmoking your blood pressure comes back to normal. Eight hours later, your system has flushed the carbon dioxide. During the three months after quitting, your lung capacity increases by 30%. One year after quitting your risk of heart attack has become half that of a steady smoker. After five years your risk of sudden stroke has normalized and after 10 years your expected risk of lung cancer is half that of a steady smoker.
These increased physical health benefits are one and the same regardless when you quit. Of course, if you quit when you are young you have a much better probability of regaining normal health within a shorter time. But even if you quit when you are 60 your life expectancy and primary standard of living will significantly intensify.
Unfortunately, what is going to happen 10 years down the road is often of little direct importance during a spell of nicotine craving. The longer you quit smoking, however, the less often these cravings will readily occur. But smoking is more than just a physical addiction, it is also a behavioral habit, and long after the physical need for nicotine has been finally overcome you may still feel the need to smoke in special circumstances.
Identifying the current circumstances which cause you to reach for a cigarette can be of great help in overcoming the inclination to smoke. If you usually recognize, for instance, that you feel like smoking at parties, you may especially need to avoid them for a particular interval of time until you break the habit. Also, if current conditions of stress make you want to smoke, finding alternative ways to deal with stress will help you stay smoke-free.
Despite all your best efforts, you may find that you have had a relapse and have taken up smoking again. If this results, don't let this discourage you -- many people have to try four or five times before they successfully quit. The most important is immediately to stop smoking. Even if you are in the middle of a cigarette, put it out and discard the balance of the package. Don't get down on yourself or think that you have failed -- each time you reaffirm your commitment to quit it becomes stronger.
Look for moral support from family and confidantes. If you deeply feel like smoking, talk to somebody about it and let them know what you are going through. Some communities have solid encouragement groups for people who are trying to quit. With regular scheduled meetings and contact with other group members you can support one another and offer encouragement and expert guidance.
Some companies besides offer programs for employees who wish to quit. Take advantage of all of these services -- your long-term commitment to quit smoking is helpful not only to you but also to your family, friends, and associates.
Perhaps the most beneficial incentive for avoiding cigarettes is knowing how it rewards you. According to the US Surgeon General's report the advantages of giving up smoking begin almost straightaway and increase the longer you keep away from smoking. After just 20 minutes of nonsmoking your blood pressure comes back to normal. Eight hours later, your system has flushed the carbon dioxide. During the three months after quitting, your lung capacity increases by 30%. One year after quitting your risk of heart attack has become half that of a steady smoker. After five years your risk of sudden stroke has normalized and after 10 years your expected risk of lung cancer is half that of a steady smoker.
These increased physical health benefits are one and the same regardless when you quit. Of course, if you quit when you are young you have a much better probability of regaining normal health within a shorter time. But even if you quit when you are 60 your life expectancy and primary standard of living will significantly intensify.
Unfortunately, what is going to happen 10 years down the road is often of little direct importance during a spell of nicotine craving. The longer you quit smoking, however, the less often these cravings will readily occur. But smoking is more than just a physical addiction, it is also a behavioral habit, and long after the physical need for nicotine has been finally overcome you may still feel the need to smoke in special circumstances.
Identifying the current circumstances which cause you to reach for a cigarette can be of great help in overcoming the inclination to smoke. If you usually recognize, for instance, that you feel like smoking at parties, you may especially need to avoid them for a particular interval of time until you break the habit. Also, if current conditions of stress make you want to smoke, finding alternative ways to deal with stress will help you stay smoke-free.
Despite all your best efforts, you may find that you have had a relapse and have taken up smoking again. If this results, don't let this discourage you -- many people have to try four or five times before they successfully quit. The most important is immediately to stop smoking. Even if you are in the middle of a cigarette, put it out and discard the balance of the package. Don't get down on yourself or think that you have failed -- each time you reaffirm your commitment to quit it becomes stronger.
Look for moral support from family and confidantes. If you deeply feel like smoking, talk to somebody about it and let them know what you are going through. Some communities have solid encouragement groups for people who are trying to quit. With regular scheduled meetings and contact with other group members you can support one another and offer encouragement and expert guidance.
Some companies besides offer programs for employees who wish to quit. Take advantage of all of these services -- your long-term commitment to quit smoking is helpful not only to you but also to your family, friends, and associates.
How Your Smoking Affects Your Loved Ones
Your cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking doesn't only have an affect on your health. The U.S. Surgeon General's report "The Health Consequences of Smoking," released in 2004, states it has been proven that smoking (or living with a person who smokes) can cause disease in nearly every organ of the body, in men as well as women. This means that every time you "light up" you are potentially damaging the health of your children, your spouse and your loved ones.
It is a fact that second hand smoke (also known as environmental tobacco smoke or ETS) is a major cause of children's illness. As children have developing lungs and have higher breathing rates than adults they run the greatest risk of health effects. In children under the age of 18 second hand smoke has been linked with pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory tract irritation, increased severity of asthma and asthmatic symptoms. It has been associated with sudden infant death syndrome, middle ear infections, upper respiratory tract infections (colds and sore throats) and cancers and leukemia. Japanese researchers just released a study that suggests that second hand smoke may affect childrens gums. 70f the children of smokers had a brownish or black pigmentation of their gums.
Statistics show that approximately 3,000 non-smoking adults die of lung cancer each year as a result of second hand smoke. Second hand smoke has been linked to nasal sinus cancer, cancer of the cervix, breast and bladder. Second hand smoke also causes an increased risk of death from heart disease.
If you must smoke, it is essential that you protect your loved ones, especially children. Don't smoke in your home. If you must smoke, smoke outside. Do not smoke in your car when your children are with you. Make sure that childcare providers and others who work in your home or around your children do not smoke.
There are many publications available to you free online that provide information on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and it's affects on your family. Visit the US Environmental Protection Agency at http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/publications.html for a free booklet.
The fact is that it's not only your own health at risk when you smoke. You quitting will make your loved ones healthier, and happier too.
It is a fact that second hand smoke (also known as environmental tobacco smoke or ETS) is a major cause of children's illness. As children have developing lungs and have higher breathing rates than adults they run the greatest risk of health effects. In children under the age of 18 second hand smoke has been linked with pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory tract irritation, increased severity of asthma and asthmatic symptoms. It has been associated with sudden infant death syndrome, middle ear infections, upper respiratory tract infections (colds and sore throats) and cancers and leukemia. Japanese researchers just released a study that suggests that second hand smoke may affect childrens gums. 70f the children of smokers had a brownish or black pigmentation of their gums.
Statistics show that approximately 3,000 non-smoking adults die of lung cancer each year as a result of second hand smoke. Second hand smoke has been linked to nasal sinus cancer, cancer of the cervix, breast and bladder. Second hand smoke also causes an increased risk of death from heart disease.
If you must smoke, it is essential that you protect your loved ones, especially children. Don't smoke in your home. If you must smoke, smoke outside. Do not smoke in your car when your children are with you. Make sure that childcare providers and others who work in your home or around your children do not smoke.
There are many publications available to you free online that provide information on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and it's affects on your family. Visit the US Environmental Protection Agency at http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/publications.html for a free booklet.
The fact is that it's not only your own health at risk when you smoke. You quitting will make your loved ones healthier, and happier too.
Kicking The Habit: The Zyban Way
If you're looking for a way to quit smoking that has a proven success rate, you may be interested in a drug called Zyban. The main active ingredient of Zyban is bupropion hydrochloride, which is also known as Wellbutrin. Originally prescribed as an antidepressant, Wellbutrin exhibited a side effect of making patients lose interest in cigarettes. With the Wellbutrin results as a guide, Zyban was developed and has been available as a smoking treatment since 1998.
How Zyban Works
The reason Zyban is so effective is not clearly understood. It makes patients feel energized and gives them a sense of well-being, which makes it useful for helping people quit smoking.
Patients start taking Zyban while they are still smoking. The quit date is set for 7 days later, and the drug is continued for another 7 to 10 weeks after that quit date. Patients report minimal symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Studies have shown that success rates of Zyban are about twice that of placebos.
If the smoker hasn't made significant improvements in his smoking habits by 10 weeks, it is unlikely that continued use of Zyban will help. Zyban treatment is like any other method for quitting smoking: in order to be effective the desire to quit has to come from within. Those who really don't want to stop smoking will find ways to sabotage any quitting plan.
The most commonly reported side effects are insomnia and a dry mouth. People with a history of seizures, eating disorders, or cirrhosis of the liver should not take it.
Compared with Patches
1 of the most popular alternatives for nicotine withdrawal is the nicotine patch -- a square patch that sticks to the skin and releases small doses of nicotine throughout the day. Patches allow the body to get the nicotine it craves without suffering the ill effects of smoking. People using patches may still feel the desire to smoke in certain situations because of associations with smoking that have nothing to do with nicotine. For example, some people associate smoking with going to a nightclub.
Patches are available in various strengths, so they can be used to wean the body gradually from its nicotine dependence. Those with a strong desire to quit smoking may find that nicotine substitutes free them to concentrate on the behavioral changes needed to rid themselves of dependency on tobacco.
Zyban does not provide nicotine to the body, it provides the smoker a feeling of well-being that allows him to give up the habit with relatively little difficulty. However, once Zyban treatment stops, the desire to smoke in certain situations may return.
Side Effects Of Patches
Patches can help eliminate the cravings associated with smoking, but they have to be used with some care. They can be worn throughout the day, but should be removed at night. Otherwise, they may cause insomnia or strange dreams.
The skin where the patch is applied may become red and itchy. These symptoms usually disappear within an hour after the patch is removed, but can cause discomfort during the day.
Both Zyban and nicotine substitutes are more effective when used in conjunction with some kind of counseling. A smoker must defeat both nicotine addiction and a series of smoking habits in order to ultimately join the ranks of the non-smoker.
How Zyban Works
The reason Zyban is so effective is not clearly understood. It makes patients feel energized and gives them a sense of well-being, which makes it useful for helping people quit smoking.
Patients start taking Zyban while they are still smoking. The quit date is set for 7 days later, and the drug is continued for another 7 to 10 weeks after that quit date. Patients report minimal symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Studies have shown that success rates of Zyban are about twice that of placebos.
If the smoker hasn't made significant improvements in his smoking habits by 10 weeks, it is unlikely that continued use of Zyban will help. Zyban treatment is like any other method for quitting smoking: in order to be effective the desire to quit has to come from within. Those who really don't want to stop smoking will find ways to sabotage any quitting plan.
The most commonly reported side effects are insomnia and a dry mouth. People with a history of seizures, eating disorders, or cirrhosis of the liver should not take it.
Compared with Patches
1 of the most popular alternatives for nicotine withdrawal is the nicotine patch -- a square patch that sticks to the skin and releases small doses of nicotine throughout the day. Patches allow the body to get the nicotine it craves without suffering the ill effects of smoking. People using patches may still feel the desire to smoke in certain situations because of associations with smoking that have nothing to do with nicotine. For example, some people associate smoking with going to a nightclub.
Patches are available in various strengths, so they can be used to wean the body gradually from its nicotine dependence. Those with a strong desire to quit smoking may find that nicotine substitutes free them to concentrate on the behavioral changes needed to rid themselves of dependency on tobacco.
Zyban does not provide nicotine to the body, it provides the smoker a feeling of well-being that allows him to give up the habit with relatively little difficulty. However, once Zyban treatment stops, the desire to smoke in certain situations may return.
Side Effects Of Patches
Patches can help eliminate the cravings associated with smoking, but they have to be used with some care. They can be worn throughout the day, but should be removed at night. Otherwise, they may cause insomnia or strange dreams.
The skin where the patch is applied may become red and itchy. These symptoms usually disappear within an hour after the patch is removed, but can cause discomfort during the day.
Both Zyban and nicotine substitutes are more effective when used in conjunction with some kind of counseling. A smoker must defeat both nicotine addiction and a series of smoking habits in order to ultimately join the ranks of the non-smoker.
Mouth Cancer: A Painful Disease that can Strike Anyone
Mouth cancer is a painful disease. It can affect your lips, tongue, cheeks and even your throat in a short period of time. The sign is a non-healing mouth ulcer or a red o white patch in the mouth.
This disease can affect anyone. It does not matter if you are a young or an old person.The important thing is the way of leading your life,because experts believe that mouth cancer is increasing probably due to drinking alcohol and smoking in huge quantities, and to a poor diet also.
It is believed that these people are up to 30 times more likely to develop this type of cancer thann those who do not smoke nor drink alcohol.
The Brithish Dental Health Foundation estimates mouth cancer kills 1,700 people in the United Kingdom every year, meanwhile 4,300 new cases are diagnosed.
Thereby the importance of warningpeople of all ages to check their mouth regularly, since if mouth cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully in most cases.
Rememberthat the way to diminish considerably your risk of being affected by mouth cancer is leading a healthy lifestyle, giving up smoking, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy diet.
Regular self-examination is very important too, because you shall visit your doctor or dentist if you notice persistent ulcers, lumpsor red or white patches in your mouth.
This disease can affect anyone. It does not matter if you are a young or an old person.The important thing is the way of leading your life,because experts believe that mouth cancer is increasing probably due to drinking alcohol and smoking in huge quantities, and to a poor diet also.
It is believed that these people are up to 30 times more likely to develop this type of cancer thann those who do not smoke nor drink alcohol.
The Brithish Dental Health Foundation estimates mouth cancer kills 1,700 people in the United Kingdom every year, meanwhile 4,300 new cases are diagnosed.
Thereby the importance of warningpeople of all ages to check their mouth regularly, since if mouth cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully in most cases.
Rememberthat the way to diminish considerably your risk of being affected by mouth cancer is leading a healthy lifestyle, giving up smoking, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy diet.
Regular self-examination is very important too, because you shall visit your doctor or dentist if you notice persistent ulcers, lumpsor red or white patches in your mouth.
Overcoming the Addiction of Smoking
So what is the best way to overcome the addiction of smoking and to fight the cravings that nicotine cause.
There are many ways including taking pills, using patches and chewing gum but I want to take a look at the natural ways you can fight the cravings and overcome smoking for good. It is important to use natural ways as to chemical ways because by using patches for example, you are only transferring from cigarettes to patches. Both contain nicotine and are not good for you. Now I know patches are better than cigarettes because the later has other chemicals and produces tar but it is best to stop smoking naturally to get the full benefit out of quitting.
Now let’s look at a couple of ways that you can do to help you keep your cravings to a minimum. Firstly there is exercise, this is a great way to help you quit smoking as it will get rid of stress and it will also help your body improve and heal it’s self from the effects of smoking. There are many different types of exercise you can undertake. You can go to the gym or even go running. Try playing football or basketball as these types of competitive sports are good for fitness and relieve stress. If you’re not up to vigorous exercise you can simply try some aerobics or brisk walking.
The exercise will decrease the feeling of the need to smoke and keep you in a good mood thus preventing you from smoking. Another thing that will help you stop smoking is to cut out excessive drinking of alcohol as it’s a well known fact that people are more likely to smoke if they are drinking.
The second way to help cut craving and feeling the need for a cigarette is to take up a hobby. It doesn’t sound like it can help but by taking up your time and not becoming bored you will not feel the need to smoke as often as you would doing nothing. It can also give you other things to spend your money on than cigarettes and can be seen as a reward for stopping smoking.
To quit smoking the natural way it is important to release stress and occupy your time and not become bored. Also try and stay away from other smokers that will entice you to take up smoking again.
About the author:
Rob Mellor owns the number one website helping people stop smoking in less than 40 minutes. Please visit the site for more information to stop smoking
There are many ways including taking pills, using patches and chewing gum but I want to take a look at the natural ways you can fight the cravings and overcome smoking for good. It is important to use natural ways as to chemical ways because by using patches for example, you are only transferring from cigarettes to patches. Both contain nicotine and are not good for you. Now I know patches are better than cigarettes because the later has other chemicals and produces tar but it is best to stop smoking naturally to get the full benefit out of quitting.
Now let’s look at a couple of ways that you can do to help you keep your cravings to a minimum. Firstly there is exercise, this is a great way to help you quit smoking as it will get rid of stress and it will also help your body improve and heal it’s self from the effects of smoking. There are many different types of exercise you can undertake. You can go to the gym or even go running. Try playing football or basketball as these types of competitive sports are good for fitness and relieve stress. If you’re not up to vigorous exercise you can simply try some aerobics or brisk walking.
The exercise will decrease the feeling of the need to smoke and keep you in a good mood thus preventing you from smoking. Another thing that will help you stop smoking is to cut out excessive drinking of alcohol as it’s a well known fact that people are more likely to smoke if they are drinking.
The second way to help cut craving and feeling the need for a cigarette is to take up a hobby. It doesn’t sound like it can help but by taking up your time and not becoming bored you will not feel the need to smoke as often as you would doing nothing. It can also give you other things to spend your money on than cigarettes and can be seen as a reward for stopping smoking.
To quit smoking the natural way it is important to release stress and occupy your time and not become bored. Also try and stay away from other smokers that will entice you to take up smoking again.
About the author:
Rob Mellor owns the number one website helping people stop smoking in less than 40 minutes. Please visit the site for more information to stop smoking
Quiting Smoking - What needs to be done?
Revolutionary move is the need of the hour. Smoking is the deadly disease of the day that is taking our society in its grip by leaps and bound. Every second person that we see around is inhaling and exhaling the cigar. Smoking has become a habit of many and people take it very casually. It has become a symbol of fashion and modernism.
How smoking is started
Many people start smoking as a step towards socializing. They do so to show the society that they are also a part of it and can gel well with it. The younger generation that leaves their homes to conquer life starts smoking to mix well with the society. They think that they will be accepted easily in the society if they do what the others do, whether it is right or wrong. Younger generation often follows the footsteps of their elderly and seniors. When they see their parents smoking, they do the same without any hesitation.
What is needed today?
We need to bring a revolution in our society and uproot the deadly disease. This can be achieved best by educating people about the harmful consequences of smoking. People should be made aware about the harm they are doing to themselves viz. health loss and money loss. Tobacco makes our hair and clothes stink. It stains our teeth and our mouth smells foul. Money expended on cigarettes is a complete waste. They should be made to understand that hard earned money should be expensed only constructively. Further parents and seniors need not to smoke in front of their children, or for that matter at homes. They should rather take up the matter with their children as a piece of educational advice and discuss it openly with them in the right perspective.
Government’s role in this
Also the government and other authorities should organize “Quit Smoking” programs and campaigns. Celebrities should be asked to participate in these campaigns and propagate the same for a noble cause. Medical camps should be put up where free medical aid and assistance should be provided to the sufferers. Teachers and coaches of various sports should educate the athletes about the ill effects of smoking and convince them to quit it. Flagrant use of cigarettes in movies and other TV shows should be banned because many actors are ideals for the younger generation. At last prevention is better than cure so one should be over cautious at the initial stages itself and should not lay prey to the deadly disease.
How smoking is started
Many people start smoking as a step towards socializing. They do so to show the society that they are also a part of it and can gel well with it. The younger generation that leaves their homes to conquer life starts smoking to mix well with the society. They think that they will be accepted easily in the society if they do what the others do, whether it is right or wrong. Younger generation often follows the footsteps of their elderly and seniors. When they see their parents smoking, they do the same without any hesitation.
What is needed today?
We need to bring a revolution in our society and uproot the deadly disease. This can be achieved best by educating people about the harmful consequences of smoking. People should be made aware about the harm they are doing to themselves viz. health loss and money loss. Tobacco makes our hair and clothes stink. It stains our teeth and our mouth smells foul. Money expended on cigarettes is a complete waste. They should be made to understand that hard earned money should be expensed only constructively. Further parents and seniors need not to smoke in front of their children, or for that matter at homes. They should rather take up the matter with their children as a piece of educational advice and discuss it openly with them in the right perspective.
Government’s role in this
Also the government and other authorities should organize “Quit Smoking” programs and campaigns. Celebrities should be asked to participate in these campaigns and propagate the same for a noble cause. Medical camps should be put up where free medical aid and assistance should be provided to the sufferers. Teachers and coaches of various sports should educate the athletes about the ill effects of smoking and convince them to quit it. Flagrant use of cigarettes in movies and other TV shows should be banned because many actors are ideals for the younger generation. At last prevention is better than cure so one should be over cautious at the initial stages itself and should not lay prey to the deadly disease.
Quit Smoking: 21 Shocking Smoking Facts
Smoking is a global problem. It is estimated that one in three adults smoke, with over 1 billion people smoking worldwide. The majority of these smokers reside in countries on the low end to the middle of the socioeconomic spectrum. Of this majority, about 80% live in low and middle-income countries. The total number of smokers worldwide is expected to keep on increasing each year.
The worldwide popularity of tobacco use varies by social class, historical era, and culture. Historically, smoking had been a pastime of the rich. However, this trend has changed dramatically in recent decades. It appears that financially advantaged men in wealthier countries have been smoking less in recent times.
The World Health Organization has been studying smoking trends and statistical patterns across the globe and has uncovered the following statistics:
1) Eastern Europe has a particularly high rate of smoking, with up to 59% of adult males smoking. Also, significantly more women smoke in Eastern Europe than in East Asia and the Pacific Region.
2) Most people who smoke, begin smoking before they are 25 years old. Worldwide observations suggest that people are stating to smoke at a much younger age. World Health Organization studies reveal that the majority of smokers in affluent countries; begin in their teens.
Smoking In The US
How do Americans compare to the rest of the world when it comes to smoking? It may come as no surprise to hear that Americans are no better than anyone else. According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics:
3) In the US, it is estimated that 25.6 million men (25.2%) and 22.6 million women (20.7%) are smokers. These smokers face a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Here are the latest estimates for smokers’ aged 18 and above:
4) Studies reveal that smoking popularity is significantly higher among people with 9-11 years of education (35.4%) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (11.6%).
5) There appears to be a correlation between a country's standard of living, level of education, and income and the number of people who have quit smoking. The more and better-informed people are, the more likely they are to quit smoking.
6) People living below the poverty level (33.3%) are much more likely to start smoking.
7) Among whites, 25.1% of men and 21.7% of women smoke.
8) Among black or African Americans, 27.6% of men and 18% of women smoke.
9) Among Asians, 21.3% of men and 6.9% of women smoke.
10) Among Hispanics/Latinos, 23.2% of men and 12.5% of women smoke.
11) Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, 32% of men and 36.9% of women smoke.
12) A shocking…1 out of every 5 five deaths is caused by tobacco
13) It is estimated that Tobacco is responsible for 400,000 deaths in the US every single year.
14) Cigarettes are responsible for about 25% of deaths from residential fires, causing nearly 1,000 fire-related deaths and 3,300 injuries each year.
15) Tobacco is blamed for many serious cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases
16) Nicotine and tobacco are some of the most potent carcinogens and are responsible for the majority of all cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, esophagus and bronchus.
17) Smoking tobacco is known to produce cancer in the pancreas, kidney, bladder, and the cervix
18) Because tobacco reduces blood flow, nicotine addiction has been proven to cause impotency.
19) If you smoke, the risk of respiratory illnesses is high. This could lead to pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia, which are responsible for some 85,000 every year.
20) Children and adolescents who are active smokers will have increasingly severe respiratory illness, as they grow older
21) Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth retardation. It also causes about 5-6% of prenatal deaths, 17-26% of low-birth-weight births, and 7-10% of pre-term deliveries.
If you don't want to quit smoking after reading these shocking figures, you really need to get your head examined. You know in your heart, what's the right thing to do. Make a firm decision to quit today, and stick to it!
The worldwide popularity of tobacco use varies by social class, historical era, and culture. Historically, smoking had been a pastime of the rich. However, this trend has changed dramatically in recent decades. It appears that financially advantaged men in wealthier countries have been smoking less in recent times.
The World Health Organization has been studying smoking trends and statistical patterns across the globe and has uncovered the following statistics:
1) Eastern Europe has a particularly high rate of smoking, with up to 59% of adult males smoking. Also, significantly more women smoke in Eastern Europe than in East Asia and the Pacific Region.
2) Most people who smoke, begin smoking before they are 25 years old. Worldwide observations suggest that people are stating to smoke at a much younger age. World Health Organization studies reveal that the majority of smokers in affluent countries; begin in their teens.
Smoking In The US
How do Americans compare to the rest of the world when it comes to smoking? It may come as no surprise to hear that Americans are no better than anyone else. According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics:
3) In the US, it is estimated that 25.6 million men (25.2%) and 22.6 million women (20.7%) are smokers. These smokers face a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Here are the latest estimates for smokers’ aged 18 and above:
4) Studies reveal that smoking popularity is significantly higher among people with 9-11 years of education (35.4%) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (11.6%).
5) There appears to be a correlation between a country's standard of living, level of education, and income and the number of people who have quit smoking. The more and better-informed people are, the more likely they are to quit smoking.
6) People living below the poverty level (33.3%) are much more likely to start smoking.
7) Among whites, 25.1% of men and 21.7% of women smoke.
8) Among black or African Americans, 27.6% of men and 18% of women smoke.
9) Among Asians, 21.3% of men and 6.9% of women smoke.
10) Among Hispanics/Latinos, 23.2% of men and 12.5% of women smoke.
11) Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, 32% of men and 36.9% of women smoke.
12) A shocking…1 out of every 5 five deaths is caused by tobacco
13) It is estimated that Tobacco is responsible for 400,000 deaths in the US every single year.
14) Cigarettes are responsible for about 25% of deaths from residential fires, causing nearly 1,000 fire-related deaths and 3,300 injuries each year.
15) Tobacco is blamed for many serious cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases
16) Nicotine and tobacco are some of the most potent carcinogens and are responsible for the majority of all cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, esophagus and bronchus.
17) Smoking tobacco is known to produce cancer in the pancreas, kidney, bladder, and the cervix
18) Because tobacco reduces blood flow, nicotine addiction has been proven to cause impotency.
19) If you smoke, the risk of respiratory illnesses is high. This could lead to pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia, which are responsible for some 85,000 every year.
20) Children and adolescents who are active smokers will have increasingly severe respiratory illness, as they grow older
21) Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth retardation. It also causes about 5-6% of prenatal deaths, 17-26% of low-birth-weight births, and 7-10% of pre-term deliveries.
If you don't want to quit smoking after reading these shocking figures, you really need to get your head examined. You know in your heart, what's the right thing to do. Make a firm decision to quit today, and stick to it!
SAY NO TO SMOKING
Is there any adventure or fun in smoking? Absolutely not! Don’t be fooled by the fun packed advertisements of the cigarette making companies. There is no “taste”, no “fun” and no “adventure” in smoking cigarettes. These are just the slogans of the cigarette making companies which are multiplying their profits at the cost of the precious human lives.
The greedy multi-national multi-billion dollar cigarette manufacturers are killing people quietly without being noticed by anyone. According to the WHO report, every 6.5 seconds a person in the world dies prematurely due to cancer, heart attack, respiratory or some other kind of tobacco related diseases. No doubt, the tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for diseases worldwide.
If you are a smoker then think seriously for a moment and decide whether you are mentally OK. I very much doubt because you are spending money on the purchase of an item which is not only risking your life by unintentionally inviting numerous diseases to attack your body but also risking the lives of other people who are forced to inhale second hand smoke, which is more dangerous than smoking. If you smoke inside your house then you also risk the life of your spouse and children. Is it a wise decision to keep on smoking?
Say no to smoking, if you want to live a normal healthy life free from diseases. Why not take a bold decision NOW and quit smoking immediately! Are you prepared to do so?
Tobacco use is going to kill nearly 10 million people each year, mostly in their productive middle ages. It is estimated that 75% of these deaths will occur in the developing countries mainly due to the high number of smokers and lack of medical facilities available there.
Due to lack of knowledge and education, the number of smokers in the developing countries and poor households is increasing at an alarming rate. The warning written on the cigarette packets is mostly ignored by the illiterate smokers. It is sad that the average amount spent by poor households on tobacco is nearly the same as the amount spent on education. A recent study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has proved that the more people are educated, the less they smoke.
Your health is your best asset. Protect your life from painful tobacco related diseases. Live a healthy and happy life and just say no to smoking.
About the author:
Hifzur Rehman is an author and editor of his website http://www.selfimprovement.chwhich is a great source of FREE self-improvement related material, thoroughly scrutinized for its practical value and positive impact on human life.
The greedy multi-national multi-billion dollar cigarette manufacturers are killing people quietly without being noticed by anyone. According to the WHO report, every 6.5 seconds a person in the world dies prematurely due to cancer, heart attack, respiratory or some other kind of tobacco related diseases. No doubt, the tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for diseases worldwide.
If you are a smoker then think seriously for a moment and decide whether you are mentally OK. I very much doubt because you are spending money on the purchase of an item which is not only risking your life by unintentionally inviting numerous diseases to attack your body but also risking the lives of other people who are forced to inhale second hand smoke, which is more dangerous than smoking. If you smoke inside your house then you also risk the life of your spouse and children. Is it a wise decision to keep on smoking?
Say no to smoking, if you want to live a normal healthy life free from diseases. Why not take a bold decision NOW and quit smoking immediately! Are you prepared to do so?
Tobacco use is going to kill nearly 10 million people each year, mostly in their productive middle ages. It is estimated that 75% of these deaths will occur in the developing countries mainly due to the high number of smokers and lack of medical facilities available there.
Due to lack of knowledge and education, the number of smokers in the developing countries and poor households is increasing at an alarming rate. The warning written on the cigarette packets is mostly ignored by the illiterate smokers. It is sad that the average amount spent by poor households on tobacco is nearly the same as the amount spent on education. A recent study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has proved that the more people are educated, the less they smoke.
Your health is your best asset. Protect your life from painful tobacco related diseases. Live a healthy and happy life and just say no to smoking.
About the author:
Hifzur Rehman is an author and editor of his website http://www.selfimprovement.chwhich is a great source of FREE self-improvement related material, thoroughly scrutinized for its practical value and positive impact on human life.
School kids learn to say no to smoking
(NC)—Research has shown time and time again that tobacco prevention programs are most effective if the prevention message is delivered, reinforced and revisited periodically over time. The Lung Association's Lungs Are For Life, a teacher delivered smoking prevention program does just that. It provides children from the age of four through to their teenage years with the skills they need to help them refuse tobacco and other harmful drugs.
The newly revised program teaches students about the health and social consequences of smoking and motivates them to resist the pressures of using substances.
The program is so easy to implement that according to one teacher, "you simply add water and stir." Teachers are provided with all the materials they need including curriculum based lesson plans, activities to involve parents, a listing of community resources, including web sites and videos, and evaluation tools.
"We believe we are providing a unique and effective smoking prevention program for young people," says Ross Reid, President and CEO of The Lung Association. "In fact, 92 percent of teachers rated the Lungs Are For Life program as a high quality and valuable resource, which offers an excellent method for communicating tobacco prevention messages to Ontario's youth."
Lungs Are For Life now has an online address! At www.lungsareforlife.ca, kids, teachers and parents can discover all the disgusting facts about smoking.
There is truly something for everyone at lungsareforlife.ca. Teachers can download the Lungs Are For Life curriculum materials, parents can learn how to speak to their child about smoking and kids can take a totally gross quiz, print out cool downloads and much more, all while learning to identify unsafe substances, resist pressures to use harmful drugs and understand the health risks associated with smoking.
The Lungs Are For Life program, developed by The Lung Association in partnership with the Curriculum and School-Based Health Resource Centre with funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, is available to all Ontario teachers free of charge.To learn more about the program, to order your curriclum or to download the materials, call 1-888-566-5864 (LUNG) or visit www.lungsareforlife.ca.
The newly revised program teaches students about the health and social consequences of smoking and motivates them to resist the pressures of using substances.
The program is so easy to implement that according to one teacher, "you simply add water and stir." Teachers are provided with all the materials they need including curriculum based lesson plans, activities to involve parents, a listing of community resources, including web sites and videos, and evaluation tools.
"We believe we are providing a unique and effective smoking prevention program for young people," says Ross Reid, President and CEO of The Lung Association. "In fact, 92 percent of teachers rated the Lungs Are For Life program as a high quality and valuable resource, which offers an excellent method for communicating tobacco prevention messages to Ontario's youth."
Lungs Are For Life now has an online address! At www.lungsareforlife.ca, kids, teachers and parents can discover all the disgusting facts about smoking.
There is truly something for everyone at lungsareforlife.ca. Teachers can download the Lungs Are For Life curriculum materials, parents can learn how to speak to their child about smoking and kids can take a totally gross quiz, print out cool downloads and much more, all while learning to identify unsafe substances, resist pressures to use harmful drugs and understand the health risks associated with smoking.
The Lungs Are For Life program, developed by The Lung Association in partnership with the Curriculum and School-Based Health Resource Centre with funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, is available to all Ontario teachers free of charge.To learn more about the program, to order your curriclum or to download the materials, call 1-888-566-5864 (LUNG) or visit www.lungsareforlife.ca.
Smokers Put Pets at Risk
Do you smoke? Need an incentive to quit? Do you have pets?
Then that beloved pet just might be the incentive you need
to stop.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts have
discovered that pets are affected by second-hand smoke.
Cats living with a smoker are two times more likely to get
feline lymphoma than one that's not. After five years the
rate increases to three times as likely. When there are two
smokers in the home, the chances of a cat getting feline
lymphoma increases to four times as likely and after five
years, three times the rate of cats living in smokefree
homes.
Dogs living in a smoking household have a 60 percent risk of
getting lung cancer.
Long-nosed dogs, such as collies or greyhounds, are twice as
likely to develop nasal cancer if they live with smokers.
Pets of all sizes and ages are affected. But especially
small pets, the very young and the old.
Second-hand smoke contributes to a other pet ills as well.
As a smoker exhales, the air is filled with poisonous fumes.
A pets eyes can become irritated due to the smoke's effects
on the tiny blood vessels found within the eye.
Smoke can damage the sensitive lungs in a pet.
Additionally, the noxious fumes can cause a cold that can
lead to more serious, life-threatening conditions.
Smoke inhalation quickly irritates an animal's throat
because animals have a shorter esophagus than humans.
Just as smoke affects furniture, rugs, curtains, etc. the
smoke also affects a pet's living quarters and gets into the
pet's fur and skin. A cats hair continuously traps large
quantities of smoke particles just like drapery, furniture
and clothing. The cat sniffs and inhales these
concentrated particles from his fur while grooming which
leads to lymphoma in the nasal passages and intestines as
well as the chest.
Some pets are allergic to smoke.
Animals have a very acute sense of smell and the odor of
smoke is very offensive to them.
Nicotine is a highly toxic chemical. Some pets may suffer
the effects of nicotine poisoning when exposed to high
concentrations.
If a pet has respiratory allergies such as asthma, the
illness is going to be worsened by constantly breathing the
second hand smoke.
Respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and a
collapsing trachea are the most common possible causes of a
chronic cough in dogs. The constant irritation eventually
causes the trachea to lose its round open shape. It begins
to collapse resulting in even more coughing and irritation,
and to an untreatable, intolerable condition usually leading
to euthanasia.
So the next time you light up, think of the air that your
beloved pet is being forced to inhale.
Here is more information on helping you to kick the smoking
habit:
Then that beloved pet just might be the incentive you need
to stop.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts have
discovered that pets are affected by second-hand smoke.
Cats living with a smoker are two times more likely to get
feline lymphoma than one that's not. After five years the
rate increases to three times as likely. When there are two
smokers in the home, the chances of a cat getting feline
lymphoma increases to four times as likely and after five
years, three times the rate of cats living in smokefree
homes.
Dogs living in a smoking household have a 60 percent risk of
getting lung cancer.
Long-nosed dogs, such as collies or greyhounds, are twice as
likely to develop nasal cancer if they live with smokers.
Pets of all sizes and ages are affected. But especially
small pets, the very young and the old.
Second-hand smoke contributes to a other pet ills as well.
As a smoker exhales, the air is filled with poisonous fumes.
A pets eyes can become irritated due to the smoke's effects
on the tiny blood vessels found within the eye.
Smoke can damage the sensitive lungs in a pet.
Additionally, the noxious fumes can cause a cold that can
lead to more serious, life-threatening conditions.
Smoke inhalation quickly irritates an animal's throat
because animals have a shorter esophagus than humans.
Just as smoke affects furniture, rugs, curtains, etc. the
smoke also affects a pet's living quarters and gets into the
pet's fur and skin. A cats hair continuously traps large
quantities of smoke particles just like drapery, furniture
and clothing. The cat sniffs and inhales these
concentrated particles from his fur while grooming which
leads to lymphoma in the nasal passages and intestines as
well as the chest.
Some pets are allergic to smoke.
Animals have a very acute sense of smell and the odor of
smoke is very offensive to them.
Nicotine is a highly toxic chemical. Some pets may suffer
the effects of nicotine poisoning when exposed to high
concentrations.
If a pet has respiratory allergies such as asthma, the
illness is going to be worsened by constantly breathing the
second hand smoke.
Respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and a
collapsing trachea are the most common possible causes of a
chronic cough in dogs. The constant irritation eventually
causes the trachea to lose its round open shape. It begins
to collapse resulting in even more coughing and irritation,
and to an untreatable, intolerable condition usually leading
to euthanasia.
So the next time you light up, think of the air that your
beloved pet is being forced to inhale.
Here is more information on helping you to kick the smoking
habit:
Smoking Facts and Figures
A random list of statements, facts and figures relating to smoking. Hopefully this list will give you the final push to be committed to giving up smoking. When you have read it, visit abouthowtoquitsmoking for further information, help and advice.
If you smoke more than 25 cigarettes a day are 25 times more likely to die from cancer and almost twice as likely to die from heart disease.
Each cigarette on average takes 11 minutes off your life.
Fifty diseases are caused by smoking causes. Twenty of them are fatal.
Seven out of ten smokers say that they want to give up.
Nicotine stimulates the central nervous system, which
increases the heart rate and blood pressure.
If you carry on smoking you have a one in two chance of dying from it.
Smoking is the number one avoidable cause of premature death in the UK.
Smoking related diseases cost the UK National Health Service about £1.7 billion a year.
If you want facial wrinkles at an early age just carry on smoking.
£1,600 that’s how much you could save if you gave up your twenty a day habit.
Nicotine is an insecticide.
£800 is what the average smoker give to the UK government in tax each year.
The risk from smoking pipes can be as great as smoking cigarettes.
Cigarettes contain tar, a complex mixture of chemicals, many of which are known to cause cancer.
As each year passes, your addiction will become greater and will increase the difficulty of quitting.
Any children growing up in a house where tobacco is regularly used are more likely to get asthma, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis and become tobacco users themselves.
The benefits start as soon as you stop.
Stomach ulcers are made worse by smoking.
In the UK, about Three Hundred people are killed everyday, simply because they were smokers.
You can always benefit from quitting smoking. Even if you are over 70 years of age.
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of having a heart attack by two or three times.
Every year 17,000 children under the age of five are admitted to hospital due to the effects of passive smoking.
Smoking causes at least 80% of all deaths from lung cancer.
Less than 10% of lung cancer patients survive five years.
83% of smokers say they would not smoke if they had their life again.
Teenage smokers experience more asthma and respiratory symptoms than non-smokers.
Chemicals that can be found in tobacco smoke:
Benzene - A poisonous gas found in petrol fumes. Known to
cause leukaemia.
Butane - Lighter fuel.
Ethanol - Used in anti-freeze.
Methanol - Used in rocket fuel.
Ammonia - Used in many cleaning products.
Acetone - Used in paint stripper.
Cadmium - Used in car batteries. Known to cause cancer.
Arsenic - Poison.
Toluene - Industrial solvent.
54% of people want smoking restrictions in pubs.
85% favour smoking restrictions at work and in restaurants.
Passive smoking doubles the risk of acute respiratory illness in children.
If you smoke more than 25 cigarettes a day are 25 times more likely to die from cancer and almost twice as likely to die from heart disease.
Each cigarette on average takes 11 minutes off your life.
Fifty diseases are caused by smoking causes. Twenty of them are fatal.
Seven out of ten smokers say that they want to give up.
Nicotine stimulates the central nervous system, which
increases the heart rate and blood pressure.
If you carry on smoking you have a one in two chance of dying from it.
Smoking is the number one avoidable cause of premature death in the UK.
Smoking related diseases cost the UK National Health Service about £1.7 billion a year.
If you want facial wrinkles at an early age just carry on smoking.
£1,600 that’s how much you could save if you gave up your twenty a day habit.
Nicotine is an insecticide.
£800 is what the average smoker give to the UK government in tax each year.
The risk from smoking pipes can be as great as smoking cigarettes.
Cigarettes contain tar, a complex mixture of chemicals, many of which are known to cause cancer.
As each year passes, your addiction will become greater and will increase the difficulty of quitting.
Any children growing up in a house where tobacco is regularly used are more likely to get asthma, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis and become tobacco users themselves.
The benefits start as soon as you stop.
Stomach ulcers are made worse by smoking.
In the UK, about Three Hundred people are killed everyday, simply because they were smokers.
You can always benefit from quitting smoking. Even if you are over 70 years of age.
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of having a heart attack by two or three times.
Every year 17,000 children under the age of five are admitted to hospital due to the effects of passive smoking.
Smoking causes at least 80% of all deaths from lung cancer.
Less than 10% of lung cancer patients survive five years.
83% of smokers say they would not smoke if they had their life again.
Teenage smokers experience more asthma and respiratory symptoms than non-smokers.
Chemicals that can be found in tobacco smoke:
Benzene - A poisonous gas found in petrol fumes. Known to
cause leukaemia.
Butane - Lighter fuel.
Ethanol - Used in anti-freeze.
Methanol - Used in rocket fuel.
Ammonia - Used in many cleaning products.
Acetone - Used in paint stripper.
Cadmium - Used in car batteries. Known to cause cancer.
Arsenic - Poison.
Toluene - Industrial solvent.
54% of people want smoking restrictions in pubs.
85% favour smoking restrictions at work and in restaurants.
Passive smoking doubles the risk of acute respiratory illness in children.
Smoking Statistics: What You Need To Know
Most of us know that smoking is indeed a habit that can have many serious implications on our health but there is a tendency to view the problem lightly. It’s important that every smoker be aware of the facts concerning smoking and so I have included certain facts and figures that I hope will serve as eye openers.
I don’t know how it is with you, but as far as I am concerned as soon as I have to look at statistics, my eyes get bleary and something just turns off in my head. But for your own good I implore you to take a good look at the smoking stats given below, remember, it could save your life.
The World Health Organization has been studying smoking trends and statistical patterns across the globe and has come up with the following statistics:
A good deal of variation exists from one part of the world to another. Many more women smoke in Eastern Europe than in East Asia and the Pacific Region. Eastern Europe itself has a particularly high rate of smoking, with up to 59 percent of adult males smoking.
As with other substances of abuse, such as alcohol and cocaine, the global frequency of tobacco use varies by social class, historical era, and culture. Historically, smoking had been a pastime of the rich. This trend has changed dramatically in recent decades. It appears that economically advantaged men in wealthier countries have been smoking less. The more years of education you've had, the less likely you are to be a smoker.
Most smokers begin early in life, before they are 25 years old. According to World Health Organization studies, the majority of smokers in affluent countries begin in their teens. A decline in the age of starting smoking has been observed worldwide.
As a wannabe quitter, you're in excellent company. People all over the world are trying to quit and stay away from cigarettes. There appears to be a correlation between a country's standard of living, level of education, and income and the number of people who have quit smoking. The more and better-informed people are, the more likely they are to quit smoking.
Current estimates are that over 1 billion people in the world smoke. (In other words, approximately one in three adults on the planet smokes.) The majority of these smokers reside in countries on the low end to the middle of the socioeconomic spectrum. Of this majority, about 80 percent live in low- and middle-income countries. The total number of smokers worldwide is expected to keep increasing. But are things in the USA any better? Not really, as you can see for yourself in the figures of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics
In the United States, an estimated 25.6 million men (25.2 percent) and 22.6 million women (20.7 percent) are smokers. These people are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The latest estimates for persons age 18 and older show..
Among whites, 25.1 percent of men and 21.7 percent of women smoke Among American Indians/Alaska Natives (only), 32.0 percent of men and 36.9 percent of women smoke Among black or African Americans, 27.6 percent of men and 18.0 percent of women smoke Among Hispanics/Latinos, 23.2 percent of men and 12.5 percent of women smoke Among Asians (only), 21.3 percent of men and 6.9 percent of women smoke
Studies show that smoking prevalence is higher among those with 9-11 years of education (35.4 percent) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (11.6 percent). It's highest among persons living below the poverty level (33.3 percent).
And These Figures Spell Death...
One out of every five deaths is caused by tobacco
An average of 400,000 Americans die each year from tobacco
Tobacco to blame for many serious pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases
Tobacco and nicotine are some of the most potent carcinogens and are to blame for a majority of all cancers of the lung, trachea, bronchus, larynx, and esophagus
Tobacco use also produces cancers in the pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix
Impotency is sometimes to blame from addiction to nicotine because of its ability to reduce blood flow
Smoking is an important risk factor for respiratory illnesses, causing 85,000 deaths per year from pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia
Children and adolescents who are active smokers will have increasingly severe respiratory illness, as they grow older
Smoking during pregnancy causes about 5-6f prenatal deaths, 17-26f low-birth-weight births, and 7-10f pre-term deliveries, and it increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth retardation
Cigarettes are responsible for about 25f deaths from residential fires, causing nearly 1,000 fire-related deaths and 3,300 injuries each year.
I don’t know how it is with you, but as far as I am concerned as soon as I have to look at statistics, my eyes get bleary and something just turns off in my head. But for your own good I implore you to take a good look at the smoking stats given below, remember, it could save your life.
The World Health Organization has been studying smoking trends and statistical patterns across the globe and has come up with the following statistics:
A good deal of variation exists from one part of the world to another. Many more women smoke in Eastern Europe than in East Asia and the Pacific Region. Eastern Europe itself has a particularly high rate of smoking, with up to 59 percent of adult males smoking.
As with other substances of abuse, such as alcohol and cocaine, the global frequency of tobacco use varies by social class, historical era, and culture. Historically, smoking had been a pastime of the rich. This trend has changed dramatically in recent decades. It appears that economically advantaged men in wealthier countries have been smoking less. The more years of education you've had, the less likely you are to be a smoker.
Most smokers begin early in life, before they are 25 years old. According to World Health Organization studies, the majority of smokers in affluent countries begin in their teens. A decline in the age of starting smoking has been observed worldwide.
As a wannabe quitter, you're in excellent company. People all over the world are trying to quit and stay away from cigarettes. There appears to be a correlation between a country's standard of living, level of education, and income and the number of people who have quit smoking. The more and better-informed people are, the more likely they are to quit smoking.
Current estimates are that over 1 billion people in the world smoke. (In other words, approximately one in three adults on the planet smokes.) The majority of these smokers reside in countries on the low end to the middle of the socioeconomic spectrum. Of this majority, about 80 percent live in low- and middle-income countries. The total number of smokers worldwide is expected to keep increasing. But are things in the USA any better? Not really, as you can see for yourself in the figures of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics
In the United States, an estimated 25.6 million men (25.2 percent) and 22.6 million women (20.7 percent) are smokers. These people are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The latest estimates for persons age 18 and older show..
Among whites, 25.1 percent of men and 21.7 percent of women smoke Among American Indians/Alaska Natives (only), 32.0 percent of men and 36.9 percent of women smoke Among black or African Americans, 27.6 percent of men and 18.0 percent of women smoke Among Hispanics/Latinos, 23.2 percent of men and 12.5 percent of women smoke Among Asians (only), 21.3 percent of men and 6.9 percent of women smoke
Studies show that smoking prevalence is higher among those with 9-11 years of education (35.4 percent) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (11.6 percent). It's highest among persons living below the poverty level (33.3 percent).
And These Figures Spell Death...
One out of every five deaths is caused by tobacco
An average of 400,000 Americans die each year from tobacco
Tobacco to blame for many serious pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases
Tobacco and nicotine are some of the most potent carcinogens and are to blame for a majority of all cancers of the lung, trachea, bronchus, larynx, and esophagus
Tobacco use also produces cancers in the pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix
Impotency is sometimes to blame from addiction to nicotine because of its ability to reduce blood flow
Smoking is an important risk factor for respiratory illnesses, causing 85,000 deaths per year from pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia
Children and adolescents who are active smokers will have increasingly severe respiratory illness, as they grow older
Smoking during pregnancy causes about 5-6f prenatal deaths, 17-26f low-birth-weight births, and 7-10f pre-term deliveries, and it increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth retardation
Cigarettes are responsible for about 25f deaths from residential fires, causing nearly 1,000 fire-related deaths and 3,300 injuries each year.
Stop Smoking
No matter what the reason was when a person began to smoke, the health risks proven to be caused by smoking has many smokers doing whatever they can to stop smoking. In order to stop smoking, a person needs to stop using all types of smoking tobacco products, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. Smoking tobacco contains a substance called nicotine, which is an alkaloid poison that occurs in tobacco. Nicotine is highly addictive, which is the reason why most people are not able to stop smoking with some kind of help.
There are a number of approaches a person can use when they are ready to stop smoking including the help of doctors and medicine. Most people have probably seen advertisements for a variety of products geared toward helping people to stop smoking. It is universally agreed upon that smoking is not safe or healthy for the smoker and those around that person and smokers who value their health and the health of their loved ones should stop smoking. In fact, smokers who have successfully stopped smoking report that they feel much healthier, have extra cash that isn’t being spent on tobacco products and they know that they have significantly decreased their risks of developing a tobacco-related disease.
One of the most effective means in which a person can try to stop smoking is to have a strong support network, group or even a cognitive behavioral therapist help them along the way. If a person chooses to see their doctor for help to stop smoking, their doctor is likely to offer that person medication in addition to advising the person to find support to stop using tobacco. Any person who decides to use medication from their doctor should be aware that some of the options available for help to stop smoking are addictive by themselves and could lead to other problems.
To begin searching for the best way to stop smoking, it is a good idea to see a doctor and ask about quitting and the help that is available. There are a number of techniques available including nicotine gum, self-help books and going ‘cold turkey’ as well as alternative methods including hypnosis, acupuncture, nutritional nicotine detoxification and other paths.
One of the key factors that plays a very important role in how successful a person can be in their efforts to stop smoking is how committed the are to seriously quit their bad habit and to stay on that path. One cigarette here or there can truly undo any good that has already been done. One of the major benefits provided by support systems for people who are trying to quit is to offer ideas on what to do when the urge to smoke becomes overwhelming due to stress or other triggering situations. Not all smokers will succeed in their attempt to stop smoking their first time and should be aware that they are not alone. It takes most smokers several tries before finding the right path and strength in order to stop smoking successfully.
There are a number of approaches a person can use when they are ready to stop smoking including the help of doctors and medicine. Most people have probably seen advertisements for a variety of products geared toward helping people to stop smoking. It is universally agreed upon that smoking is not safe or healthy for the smoker and those around that person and smokers who value their health and the health of their loved ones should stop smoking. In fact, smokers who have successfully stopped smoking report that they feel much healthier, have extra cash that isn’t being spent on tobacco products and they know that they have significantly decreased their risks of developing a tobacco-related disease.
One of the most effective means in which a person can try to stop smoking is to have a strong support network, group or even a cognitive behavioral therapist help them along the way. If a person chooses to see their doctor for help to stop smoking, their doctor is likely to offer that person medication in addition to advising the person to find support to stop using tobacco. Any person who decides to use medication from their doctor should be aware that some of the options available for help to stop smoking are addictive by themselves and could lead to other problems.
To begin searching for the best way to stop smoking, it is a good idea to see a doctor and ask about quitting and the help that is available. There are a number of techniques available including nicotine gum, self-help books and going ‘cold turkey’ as well as alternative methods including hypnosis, acupuncture, nutritional nicotine detoxification and other paths.
One of the key factors that plays a very important role in how successful a person can be in their efforts to stop smoking is how committed the are to seriously quit their bad habit and to stay on that path. One cigarette here or there can truly undo any good that has already been done. One of the major benefits provided by support systems for people who are trying to quit is to offer ideas on what to do when the urge to smoke becomes overwhelming due to stress or other triggering situations. Not all smokers will succeed in their attempt to stop smoking their first time and should be aware that they are not alone. It takes most smokers several tries before finding the right path and strength in order to stop smoking successfully.
Study Links Tobacco Smoke With Belly Fat
Exposure to cigarette smoke raises the risk among teens of metabolic syndrome, a disorder associated with excess belly fat that increases the chances of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, metabolic syndrome, according to a study.
Researchers said it is the first study to establish such a link in teenagers.
"The bottom line to me is: As we gear up to take on this epidemic of obesity, we cannot abandon protecting our children from secondhand smoke and smoking," said lead author Dr. Michael Weitzman, executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics Center for Child Health Research in Rochester, N.Y.
For the study, metabolic syndrome was defined as having at least three of five characteristics: a big waist, high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats called triglycerides, low levels of good cholesterol, and evidence of insulin resistance, in which the body cannot efficiently use insulin.
In the study, published Monday in the American Heart Association online journal Circulation, researchers found that 6 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds had metabolic syndrome and that the prevalence increased with exposure to tobacco smoke.
The study found that 1 percent of those unexposed to smoke developed the syndrome, 5 percent of those exposed to secondhand smoke had the disorder and 9 percent of active smokers had it.
Looking at teens who were overweight or at risk for being overweight, the effect of smoke was even more marked, with 6 percent of those not exposed to smoke developing syndrome, 20 percent of those exposed to secondhand smoke getting it and 24 percent of smokers suffering from the disorder.
"What this shows is that the percentages of kids who are at risk is vastly higher if they're overweight and they're exposed to secondhand smoke, down to very low levels," Weitzman said.
Weitzman said it is not clear what it is about smoking that appears to make teenagers more susceptible to metabolic syndrome.
However, in adults smoking has been linked to insulin resistance, a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. Doctors also point out that smoking can lower levels of good cholesterol and raise blood pressure, two more markers for the disorder.
The researchers looked at 2,273 adolescents, using information from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey. The youngsters reported their own use of tobacco. Also, the study looked at measurements of cotinine, a product of nicotine after it enters the body. Two-thirds of teens who did not smoke had cotinine levels that indicated secondhand smoke exposure.
"It's sobering," said Dr. Michael Lim, assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of cardiology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. "What it points out is a very high-risk group of people - young adults 12 to 19 - who are exposed to tobacco products and sedentary."
The number of overweight teens in the United States has tripled in the past two decades.
Researchers said it is the first study to establish such a link in teenagers.
"The bottom line to me is: As we gear up to take on this epidemic of obesity, we cannot abandon protecting our children from secondhand smoke and smoking," said lead author Dr. Michael Weitzman, executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics Center for Child Health Research in Rochester, N.Y.
For the study, metabolic syndrome was defined as having at least three of five characteristics: a big waist, high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats called triglycerides, low levels of good cholesterol, and evidence of insulin resistance, in which the body cannot efficiently use insulin.
In the study, published Monday in the American Heart Association online journal Circulation, researchers found that 6 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds had metabolic syndrome and that the prevalence increased with exposure to tobacco smoke.
The study found that 1 percent of those unexposed to smoke developed the syndrome, 5 percent of those exposed to secondhand smoke had the disorder and 9 percent of active smokers had it.
Looking at teens who were overweight or at risk for being overweight, the effect of smoke was even more marked, with 6 percent of those not exposed to smoke developing syndrome, 20 percent of those exposed to secondhand smoke getting it and 24 percent of smokers suffering from the disorder.
"What this shows is that the percentages of kids who are at risk is vastly higher if they're overweight and they're exposed to secondhand smoke, down to very low levels," Weitzman said.
Weitzman said it is not clear what it is about smoking that appears to make teenagers more susceptible to metabolic syndrome.
However, in adults smoking has been linked to insulin resistance, a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. Doctors also point out that smoking can lower levels of good cholesterol and raise blood pressure, two more markers for the disorder.
The researchers looked at 2,273 adolescents, using information from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey. The youngsters reported their own use of tobacco. Also, the study looked at measurements of cotinine, a product of nicotine after it enters the body. Two-thirds of teens who did not smoke had cotinine levels that indicated secondhand smoke exposure.
"It's sobering," said Dr. Michael Lim, assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of cardiology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. "What it points out is a very high-risk group of people - young adults 12 to 19 - who are exposed to tobacco products and sedentary."
The number of overweight teens in the United States has tripled in the past two decades.
The Benefits of Stopping Smoking (Part One)
So your thinking of giving up smoking but just need a little persuading of the good things that will happen to you if you quit. You’ve been forced to hear about the bad things that will happen if you carry on but like me your probable fed up of that so let me tell you some of the benefits of stopping smoking.
Scare campaigns get you thinking of quitting but the truth is that few people go through with it. What the government should be telling you about is the good stuff and how quick it starts to happen.
Let me tell you about some of the things that happen within a few days of stopping smoking. Think about it for a minute, how long does it take before there are benefits of stopping smoking. Most people think a few days or even a week but the truth is that it only takes twenty minutes before the magic starts happening.
Within 20 minutes of stopping smoking your blood pressure and pulse rate drops to normal. Within 8 hours the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal and the oxygen level increases and by the end of day one (24 hours) your chance of having a heart attack has decreased.
Amazing isn’t it but the good stuff is still to come. After day two your destroyed nerve ending will begin to re-develop and re-grow. Your ability to smell and taste things improves noticeably.
After day 3 your Bronchial tubes begin to relax making breathing easier.
Wow! Who would have thought that stopping for such a little amount of time could make a difference to your health and everyday life. Your body is constantly recovering and getting better each day. Please just try and stop smoking for 3 or 4 days and see if it is easier to breathe. I’m sure you will want to stop when you see the improvement.
In part two of the article I’m going to tell you about the benefits that happen after quitting for a couple of weeks to 15 years where your risk of heart disease becomes the same as a person that has never smoked. People don’t normally believe they can improve there health like this and that’s why they never stop but now you know this I’m sure your going to make a better decision.
Scare campaigns get you thinking of quitting but the truth is that few people go through with it. What the government should be telling you about is the good stuff and how quick it starts to happen.
Let me tell you about some of the things that happen within a few days of stopping smoking. Think about it for a minute, how long does it take before there are benefits of stopping smoking. Most people think a few days or even a week but the truth is that it only takes twenty minutes before the magic starts happening.
Within 20 minutes of stopping smoking your blood pressure and pulse rate drops to normal. Within 8 hours the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal and the oxygen level increases and by the end of day one (24 hours) your chance of having a heart attack has decreased.
Amazing isn’t it but the good stuff is still to come. After day two your destroyed nerve ending will begin to re-develop and re-grow. Your ability to smell and taste things improves noticeably.
After day 3 your Bronchial tubes begin to relax making breathing easier.
Wow! Who would have thought that stopping for such a little amount of time could make a difference to your health and everyday life. Your body is constantly recovering and getting better each day. Please just try and stop smoking for 3 or 4 days and see if it is easier to breathe. I’m sure you will want to stop when you see the improvement.
In part two of the article I’m going to tell you about the benefits that happen after quitting for a couple of weeks to 15 years where your risk of heart disease becomes the same as a person that has never smoked. People don’t normally believe they can improve there health like this and that’s why they never stop but now you know this I’m sure your going to make a better decision.
The Benefits of Stopping Smoking (Part Two)
In part one we talked about the benefits in the first few days of giving up smoking and how within twenty minutes good stuff is going on in your body. In this part we’re going to talk about the benefits after a couple of weeks up until 15 years where your risk of coronary heart disease becomes the same as a person that never smoked.
Lets start within a couple of months of giving up. Through these weeks your circulation and breathing improve making it easier to walk. Your lungs start functioning up to 30% better.
Starting in this time and sometimes taking up to a year your coughing, fatigue and shortness of breathe decrease and your immune system improves. This makes you a lot healthier in only a year and you will be able to feel the difference, I know I did.
Within one year of giving up smoking your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker and then within two years the risk of you having a heart attack drops to near normal. This means that after two years you are one your way to been almost as healthy as someone who doesn’t smoke.
Within five years of quitting your risk of having a stroke is reduced and the risk of getting lung cancer is halved. This is almost reduced to similar of someone who has never smoked by ten years and chances of getting other cancers such as mouth, larynx, bladder and kidney are dramatically reduced.
After 15 years the risk of you having coronary heart disease becomes the same as someone who has never smoked.
That is good news isn’t it. From day one your becoming more healthier and after a couple of years the risk of disease is been reduced. After around 10 to 15 years your body is almost that of someone who has never smoked adding years to your life which goes to show that it’s never too late to quit smoking.
Now you need to plan on how your going to quit smoking as I’m sure you want to after reading this. You will need to plan and get a good easy way to quit which you can by going to my website.
Lets start within a couple of months of giving up. Through these weeks your circulation and breathing improve making it easier to walk. Your lungs start functioning up to 30% better.
Starting in this time and sometimes taking up to a year your coughing, fatigue and shortness of breathe decrease and your immune system improves. This makes you a lot healthier in only a year and you will be able to feel the difference, I know I did.
Within one year of giving up smoking your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker and then within two years the risk of you having a heart attack drops to near normal. This means that after two years you are one your way to been almost as healthy as someone who doesn’t smoke.
Within five years of quitting your risk of having a stroke is reduced and the risk of getting lung cancer is halved. This is almost reduced to similar of someone who has never smoked by ten years and chances of getting other cancers such as mouth, larynx, bladder and kidney are dramatically reduced.
After 15 years the risk of you having coronary heart disease becomes the same as someone who has never smoked.
That is good news isn’t it. From day one your becoming more healthier and after a couple of years the risk of disease is been reduced. After around 10 to 15 years your body is almost that of someone who has never smoked adding years to your life which goes to show that it’s never too late to quit smoking.
Now you need to plan on how your going to quit smoking as I’m sure you want to after reading this. You will need to plan and get a good easy way to quit which you can by going to my website.
The Effects Of Smoking On Your Appearance
The Surgeon General of the United States has stated "Smoking cessation (stopping smoking) represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives." It may also be the most important step that you can take to improve the quality of your appearance. In 1985 the term "smokers face" was added to the medical dictionary. A study done in Norway in 1998 cited that women emphasize the effect of smoking on physical appearance as a general motivation to quit, whereas men mentioned general health benefits.
I have to say truthfully that vanity had something to do with my decision to quit smoking. I had started smoking at the age of 16 when I started dating a smoker. Unfortunately, when the relationship ended the smoking didn't. I was left with a habit that would haunt me.
It was in the late 70's when I worked in a medical office where we administered chemotherapy to cancer patients. I knew more about the health consequences than most people witnessing it first hand on a daily basis. I even had an ashtray at my desk and smoked in the office. Like most smokers I was in a state of denial. I was in my early 20's and felt invincible. I said to myself "it won't happen to me". Besides, I enjoyed my cigarette and cup of coffee in the morning, and nothing could beat relaxing with a cigarette after a good meal. It seemed all my friends smoked too.
I was in my mid-30's when I met a man whose parents were smokers. When I looked at his mother's aged and horribly lined face I thought "Oh my God, that could be me in twenty more years." Seeing her made an impression on me that I'll never forget. She was obviously a long time smoker with the tell-tale vertical lines all around her mouth. She had a grayish tinge to her skin, which was as thin as it could be. She looked a full 10 years older than her true age. Her fingers were actually stained yellow by nicotine. It was a wake up call for me.
There is no denying the negative effects of smoking on your appearance. Smoking dries out the skin. Smoking causes blood vessel constriction of the top layers of skin which reduces the oxygen levels which leads to a dull complexion. Due to this constriction of blood vessels and poor circulation a smokers skin is thinner than a non-smokers skin. It has been shown in studies to be up to 40 hinner. Smoking reduces the level of collagen in the skin which leads to loss of elasticity and the quick formation of lines and wrinkles.
Of course you have everything to gain trying to quit smoking aside from just the improvement in your physical appearance. Another report released by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2004 entitled "The Health Consequences of Smoking," revealed that smoking (or living with a person who smokes) can cause disease in nearly every organ of the body, in men as well as women.
I was lucky that I successfully kicked the habit almost ten years ago. I do have a trace of those tell-tale lip lines and although you may not notice them, I do. I have spent a fortune over the years in skin care products. I'll never have the face I would have had if I had never started smoking. But today I am a much happier and more importantly, a much healthier person for having stopped.
Whatever your reason, vanity or health - just quit!
I have to say truthfully that vanity had something to do with my decision to quit smoking. I had started smoking at the age of 16 when I started dating a smoker. Unfortunately, when the relationship ended the smoking didn't. I was left with a habit that would haunt me.
It was in the late 70's when I worked in a medical office where we administered chemotherapy to cancer patients. I knew more about the health consequences than most people witnessing it first hand on a daily basis. I even had an ashtray at my desk and smoked in the office. Like most smokers I was in a state of denial. I was in my early 20's and felt invincible. I said to myself "it won't happen to me". Besides, I enjoyed my cigarette and cup of coffee in the morning, and nothing could beat relaxing with a cigarette after a good meal. It seemed all my friends smoked too.
I was in my mid-30's when I met a man whose parents were smokers. When I looked at his mother's aged and horribly lined face I thought "Oh my God, that could be me in twenty more years." Seeing her made an impression on me that I'll never forget. She was obviously a long time smoker with the tell-tale vertical lines all around her mouth. She had a grayish tinge to her skin, which was as thin as it could be. She looked a full 10 years older than her true age. Her fingers were actually stained yellow by nicotine. It was a wake up call for me.
There is no denying the negative effects of smoking on your appearance. Smoking dries out the skin. Smoking causes blood vessel constriction of the top layers of skin which reduces the oxygen levels which leads to a dull complexion. Due to this constriction of blood vessels and poor circulation a smokers skin is thinner than a non-smokers skin. It has been shown in studies to be up to 40 hinner. Smoking reduces the level of collagen in the skin which leads to loss of elasticity and the quick formation of lines and wrinkles.
Of course you have everything to gain trying to quit smoking aside from just the improvement in your physical appearance. Another report released by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2004 entitled "The Health Consequences of Smoking," revealed that smoking (or living with a person who smokes) can cause disease in nearly every organ of the body, in men as well as women.
I was lucky that I successfully kicked the habit almost ten years ago. I do have a trace of those tell-tale lip lines and although you may not notice them, I do. I have spent a fortune over the years in skin care products. I'll never have the face I would have had if I had never started smoking. But today I am a much happier and more importantly, a much healthier person for having stopped.
Whatever your reason, vanity or health - just quit!
The Power Of Nicotine Addiction
If you've ever tried to quit smoking, then you've come up against the awesome power of nicotine addiction. If you would like to quit, read on to learn how nicotine addiction takes hold, and how you can defeat it.
Altered Brain Chemistry
Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, is absorbed into the bloodstream where it affects brain chemistry. It quickly alters both mood and focus. Because of the large surface area of the lungs, smokers receive a big "hit" of nicotine with every puff. Since nicotine is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, the brain receives an almost instantaneous dose of pleasure with every inhalation of smoke.
Nicotine primarily affects the mid-brain, the part of the brain that controls moods and emotions. It produces pleasurable sensations while smoking, and anxiety and craving when nicotine is withheld. Doesn't that sound like a perfect formula for addiction?
Behavioral Reinforcement
Because of the immediate stimulation to the brain, smoking behavior is constantly reinforced. When smokers try to quit, they have to overcome both the physical addiction to nicotine and the associations they have made to the behavior. This means breaking the mental connection between the physical act of picking up, lighting, and smoking the cigarette, and the pleasurable sensations it produces.
Besides the physical addiction, there are also strong behavioral and social reinforcements to smoking. Certain situations (such as experiencing stress, finishing a meal, or going to a bar) become so strongly associated with smoking that smokers will automatically reach for a cigarette without thinking.
Genetic Predisposition
However, some people become more addicted to nicotine than others. The reason for this may be genetic. Some people metabolize nicotine more slowly, which makes them less likely to become addicted. There is a particular enzyme present in the liver that breaks down nicotine. People with a genetic "flaw" in producing the enzyme are less likely to smoke, and if they do smoke, they smoke fewer cigarettes than those with the normal enzyme.
There may also be genetic reasons related to behavior that encourage smoking addiction. Reaction to stress, for example, can be partially genetically determined -- and stress relief is 1 of the major reasons people smoke.
Anyone Can Quit
People who are addicted to smoking can take solice in knowing that it is possible to quit. Although some find it more difficult than others, there are many resources available to anyone who wants to give up the habit. Help is available in the form of nicotine replacement, other medical treatments, group therapy, and counseling. It is not just the physical addiction to nicotine that must be overcome. The urge to smoke is driven by many associations (food, sex, alcohol) that were developed over years. Those individual habit patterns must also be defeated.
Age Is No Barrier
As with any addictive substance, the longer you have used nicotine, the more difficult it will be to break free. Young adults who have been smoking for just a few years will likely find it easier to quit than a middle-aged person with a 20 year habit. On the other hand, a middle-age smoker is more likely to feel susceptible to the health risks of smoking, which may create a stronger motivation to break the habit.
Regardless of age, or number of years of smoking, anyone can quit and regain the health benefits of being a non-smoker. It is easier now than ever before with the widespread availablility of addiction aids and rehab programs. Don't you think it's time for YOU to quit smoking for good?
Altered Brain Chemistry
Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, is absorbed into the bloodstream where it affects brain chemistry. It quickly alters both mood and focus. Because of the large surface area of the lungs, smokers receive a big "hit" of nicotine with every puff. Since nicotine is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, the brain receives an almost instantaneous dose of pleasure with every inhalation of smoke.
Nicotine primarily affects the mid-brain, the part of the brain that controls moods and emotions. It produces pleasurable sensations while smoking, and anxiety and craving when nicotine is withheld. Doesn't that sound like a perfect formula for addiction?
Behavioral Reinforcement
Because of the immediate stimulation to the brain, smoking behavior is constantly reinforced. When smokers try to quit, they have to overcome both the physical addiction to nicotine and the associations they have made to the behavior. This means breaking the mental connection between the physical act of picking up, lighting, and smoking the cigarette, and the pleasurable sensations it produces.
Besides the physical addiction, there are also strong behavioral and social reinforcements to smoking. Certain situations (such as experiencing stress, finishing a meal, or going to a bar) become so strongly associated with smoking that smokers will automatically reach for a cigarette without thinking.
Genetic Predisposition
However, some people become more addicted to nicotine than others. The reason for this may be genetic. Some people metabolize nicotine more slowly, which makes them less likely to become addicted. There is a particular enzyme present in the liver that breaks down nicotine. People with a genetic "flaw" in producing the enzyme are less likely to smoke, and if they do smoke, they smoke fewer cigarettes than those with the normal enzyme.
There may also be genetic reasons related to behavior that encourage smoking addiction. Reaction to stress, for example, can be partially genetically determined -- and stress relief is 1 of the major reasons people smoke.
Anyone Can Quit
People who are addicted to smoking can take solice in knowing that it is possible to quit. Although some find it more difficult than others, there are many resources available to anyone who wants to give up the habit. Help is available in the form of nicotine replacement, other medical treatments, group therapy, and counseling. It is not just the physical addiction to nicotine that must be overcome. The urge to smoke is driven by many associations (food, sex, alcohol) that were developed over years. Those individual habit patterns must also be defeated.
Age Is No Barrier
As with any addictive substance, the longer you have used nicotine, the more difficult it will be to break free. Young adults who have been smoking for just a few years will likely find it easier to quit than a middle-aged person with a 20 year habit. On the other hand, a middle-age smoker is more likely to feel susceptible to the health risks of smoking, which may create a stronger motivation to break the habit.
Regardless of age, or number of years of smoking, anyone can quit and regain the health benefits of being a non-smoker. It is easier now than ever before with the widespread availablility of addiction aids and rehab programs. Don't you think it's time for YOU to quit smoking for good?
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