Smoking - One of the Most Destructive, VOLUNTARY Things You Can Do to Your Health

 

 

Smoking - One of the Most Destructive, VOLUNTARY Things You Can Do to Your Health

By Jimmie Newell

 

Notice that the title of this article says that smoking is voluntary, if you are a smoker and have tried any number of times to quit, you probably think that smoking is anything but voluntary. But let's admit to the truth, you do choose each and every time you light up, you could just as well choose not to.

I have a good friend who is and has been a heavy smoker for the 20 years I have known him. About 10 years ago he had a heart attack at age 45, which resulted in a quadruple bypass. When I visited my friend at the hospital, he was scared half to death, he said that his doctors told him he would need to make some lifestyle changes, one of which was to quit smoking. He swore that he was at that point, done with tobacco forever...well that lasted 2 weeks, he had made a choice. This is a guy who was and still is in fairly good physical condition, his job is physically demanding, he is active in some sports, not overweight. So his major risk factor is most likely smoking, and he has chosen to still smoke. He is about 5 years younger than me and, sadly I fully expect that I will attend his funeral. So you see it really is a choice, not always a wise one, but still a choice,

Well let's get real...I know, I was a heavy smoker for over 25 years before I convinced myself that I had a choice. Quitting by whatever method you choose is not a walk in the park! That's what this article is all about, helping you to overcome your health challenges.

Because they are all equally as damaging to your health and the health of those around us we should include all of the methods that we abuse our health with tobacco in this article. We will deal with each of them one at a time.

Smokeless tobacco - snuff, dip, chew, etc.

Using smokeless tobacco causes bad breath, stains and wears down your teeth, can cause painful mouth sores, can raise your blood pressure and your cholesterol. Over time you will be at higher risk for heart attack and cancer.

Pipe smoking

Pipe smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease (loss of gum tissue, bone loss, and loss of teeth), mouth and lip sores and lesions, several oral cancers, heart attack and vascular disorders.

Cigarette smoking

Cigarette smoking causes 87% of lung cancer deaths, raises the risk of heart disease, contributes to high blood pressure, and vascular disease, and increases those risks for other people by exposing them to second hand smoke.

Cigar smoking

Many ex cigarette smokers are cigar smokers and try to convince themselves that this is a safe way to smoke, because they don't inhale. In fact almost all cigar smokers who were cigarette smokers do inhale. Cigar smokers who never were cigarette smokers tend not to inhale. Cigar smoking whether you inhale or not is still as damaging to your heath as any other form of tobacco use, there may be somewhat less risk of lung cancer, however there is no decreased risk of many other types of cancer, if you inhale a few other cancer types are added to the list.

We are exposed to a great numbers of advertising messages each day that try to glamorize tobacco use. To balance the message read the 1964 Surgeon General Report on smoking this was the first real indication to the public that there were dire risks associated with tobacco use. At the time this report was published about 70% of the U.S. adult population were smokers, smoking was depicted in movies and on television, in ads, on billboards, and glamorized in any way possible.

What changes have we seen?

There are fewer movies and television shows that promote smoking as blatantly as before.

There are fewer ads that promote smoking.

There are health warnings on cigarette packs, smokeless tobacco containers, pipe tobacco containers, however not on cigars.

The places that you can smoke are far fewer. most workplaces, many bars and restaurants, theatres, airplanes, buses.

Are these and many other changes and restrictions working?

About 23% of the US adult population now smokes, this is down from about 70% in 1965.

However there is still much that needs to be done, many high school and college students still smoke and many are starting everyday, with the information that is available today it simply amazes me that these otherwise intelligent persons are still smoking.

 

 

 

Reasons Why You Should Quit Smoking

By Charlene Nuble

 

Smoking can hook you because cigarettes contain nicotine which is highly addictive. But being hooked is not an excuse why you cannot quit smoking. Smoking has been proven by several researches to be great threat to one's health, that is why there is no reason why one who is already hooked to it should not quit smoking.

It is tough to quit smoking. People try at least 2 to 3 times before they can finally quit smoking. It takes hard work and lots of effort but if you're really determined then you can quit smoking for good.

Why quit smoking?

There are at least five reasons why you should quit smoking.

* First, if you quit smoking, you will definitely live longer and better.

* Second, each time you smoke, you take about 5 to 20 minutes off your life. Your chance of getting lung cancer, stroke or heart attack increases if you don't quit smoking.

* Third, the people you live with, especially the children, will be healthier only if you stop smoking. In fact, second hand smoke is more dangerous than the actual smoke users get from smoking.

* Fourth, if you quit smoking, you will have extra money to spend on other things than cigarettes.

* And lastly, if you're pregnant, chances of having a healthier baby is more likely if you quit smoking.

So the next and most crucial question is "how do I quit smoking?"

Here are five ways that can help you quit smoking:

1. Get ready and prepare yourself to undetake your quit smoking program? Set a quit smoking date. Change your environment by getting rid of all cigarettes in places you frequent and not allowing people to smoke near you or at your home.

2. Get support and encouragement. Studies have shown that you'll have better chances in quitting smoking if you can get support from families, friends, and co-workers.

3. Learn new skills and behavior. Always remember that your goal is to quit smoking, so distract yourself from urges of smoking. Change your routine in your first try of quit smoking program. Do something to reduce your stress such as taking a hot bath, exercise, or reading. Plan something to do enjoyable every day.

4. Get medication and use it correctly. Medications can help you lessen the urge to smoke. Five approved medications that can help you to quit smoking are: Bupropion SR, nicotine gum, nicotine inhaler, nicotine nasal spray, and nicotine patch.

5. Be prepared for a relapse. If you quit smoking, chances of a relapse is high. Most relapses occur after 3 months of quitting, so watch out for situations that may trigger you get back to smoking such as alcohol, other smokers, weight gain and depression.

Everyone can quit smoking so don't hesitate to at least try to quit smoking also.

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