No Substitute for Time

From Smoking Cessation Guide, Terry Martin: The following essay was written by Michelle, one of the moderators for our Smoking Cessation Forum here at About.com. Her perspectives are right on the mark - quitting tobacco truly is a process over time. The release from this addiction comes bit by bit, so try to relax and put some time between you and that last cigarette you smoked. The freedom you'll gain is worth every bit of work you put into your quit!

I see that there are quite a few struggling right now, and I wanted to offer my perspective for what it’s worth. I was visiting with my mother today, who is a smoker, and I found myself trying to think of the right words to help her see that she could quit smoking if she wants to. I think many of the veteran ash kickers will know what I’m talking about when I say that I wish I had the words to express the depth, the magnitude, of freedom from nicotine. I also wish there was some kind of pill that the newly quit could take to fast forward 6 months or so to a time when nicotine recovery is much more manageable.

We have a lot of fun here sometimes, but those who have significant smober time do not forget what this forum is all about. I see that some are concerned about how much time they spend here, and I want to say, DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT! Every post you read, and every post you write is an investment in your future. If your loved ones are missing you and letting you know it, please tell them that you love them enough to devote everything you have to make sure that you can spend as much time as possible with them. This is your life you are saving, and it’s not easy.

So, it’s true that people quit smoking every day without the benefit of this forum. I believe, though, and I can’t imagine who would disagree, that support is vital to smoke-freedom for most. The articles that you can access from the site home and the posts here will reinforce your resolve. Education is key and essential for long-term success.

I’ll say it again…quitting smoking is not easy. It’s exhausting at times, and there are mood swings and minds games, and it is all part of the process of becoming someone who is not a slave to cigarettes. Quitting smoking is not easy, but is it easier that living with or dying from a smoking-related illness. It can be tiring, but not as tiring as chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It takes some effort, but not as much effort as it takes some to try to take their next breath. If you are in your 20’s or 30’s and think you have decades to smoke before you do any real damage, please think again. It is about perspective, and as you progress through this process, your perspective will change. Mine has…for the better and forever.

We have become a society who demands instant gratification, and patience has gone by the wayside. I believe some things are still worth waiting for, and I KNOW that smoke-freedom is one of them. The veterans who stick around here do so because we know how great it feels to be smoke-free. It does get better, and it does get easier, and you owe it to yourselves to give yourselves however long it takes to feel good about being smoke-free.

So…rant, whine, scream…whatever it takes to get you from where you are to where you want to be, but PLEASE DON’T SMOKE! I promise that quitting smoking will not kill you, and if you let it, it can even be one of the most amazing experiences of your life.

~Michelle~ (QuitWit)
Michelle's Quit Story
Michelle's 1 Year Milestone
Michelle's 2 Year Milestone
Michelle's 3 Year Milestone
Michelle's 4 Year Milestone
Michelle's 5 Year Milestone
Patience With the Process
A Perspective on Using NRT's
Depression When You Quit Smoking
Smoking and Degenerative Disc Disease

View the original article here

Chantix FAQs

Varenicline tartrate, brand name Chantix, is a smoking cessation medication that was developed by Pfizer, Inc.

In May of 2006, Chantix was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In the years since however, a number of serious concerns involving changes in mood and behavior for people taking Chantix have surfaced.

Let's take a closer look at how Chantix works, and address the most frequently asked questions about this quit aid.

Chantix is a medication that was developed specifically for quitting tobacco. It has two very unique qualities that make it an effective quit aid: Chantix blocks nicotine from binding with receptor sites. If a person smokes while using Chantix, they get none of the nicotine boost that smokers call "smoking satisfaction." Smoking becomes bland and unappealing, making it easier to quit.More About How Chantix Works Chantix must be prescribed by your doctor. He/she will give you a prescription that you can fill at your local pharmacy. Absolutely. When discussing Chantix with your doctor, be sure to mention: all other prescription medications you're using, including insulin, asthma medicines and blood thinnersall non-prescription medications you use, including vitamins, pain relievers, herbal remedies and supplementsAlso, be sure to tell your doctor if you: have kidney problems, including dialysis treatmentsTypical Chantix side effects include: nausea gas vomiting constipation disruptions in dream patternsThere are other more serious, but less common side effects associated with Chantix involving changes in mood and behavior that should be discussed with your physician. Chantix works by altering brain chemistry, and as such, carries a set of risk factors that involve changes in mood and behavior.

If you have been diagnosed with depression or any other mental health condition, it is very important to carefully review, with the help of your doctor, whether Chantix is a good fit for you.

Safety information from the Chantix Website: Some people have had changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions while using CHANTIX to help them quit smoking. Some people had these symptoms when they began taking CHANTIX, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after stopping CHANTIX. If you, your family, or caregiver notice agitation, hostility, depression, or changes in behavior, thinking, or mood that are not typical for you, or you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia, or confusion, stop taking CHANTIX and call your doctor right away. Also tell your doctor about any history of depression or other mental health problems before taking CHANTIX, as these symptoms may worsen while taking CHANTIX.In May of 2008, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned pilots and air traffic controllers from using this drug while on the job:

FAA Bans Chantix for Pilots and Controllers

Additionally, on July 1, 2009, the FDA mandated that the manufacturers of Chantix, Zyban® and Wellbutrin® carry a new Boxed Warning on product labels that inform health care providers and the public of the potential risks associated with the use of these drugs. Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride) is a non-nicotine prescription quit aid similar to Chantix. Wellbutrin is bupropion that is marketed as an anti-depressant.

The FDA issued a public health advisory as well: People who are taking Chantix or Zyban and experience any serious and unusual changes in mood or behavior or who feel like hurting themselves or someone else should stop taking the medicine and call their healthcare professional right away. Friends or family members who notice these changes in behavior in someone who is taking Chantix or Zyban for smoking cessation should tell the person their concerns and recommend that he or she stop taking the drug and call a health care professional right away.FDA Public Health Advisory Released for Zyban and Chantix While the side effects of Chantix (and Zyban) are potentially serious, it is important to note that they affect a small percentage of the people who use these medications. So yes, it is likely that this type of quit aid is safe for you to use -- just be sure to review the side effects carefully with your doctor before starting either Chantix or Zyban. You'll start Chantix therapy a week before you quit smoking. Following your doctor's specific instructions, you'll begin with a small dose of Chantix once a day, gradually increasing dosage until you're taking 1 mg tablets twice daily. Always take Chantix with a full glass of water on a full stomach.

The standard recommended length of treatment is 12 weeks.

If you slip up and smoke a cigarette, continue using Chantix and try again. It can take a few weeks for this therapy to take hold for some people, so don't give up. It's a tragic fact that a human life is snuffed out every 8 seconds somewhere in the world because of tobacco use today. And if trends continue unchanged, estimates put death by tobacco at one billion this century. Just as no two people are alike, neither are their quit programs. While Chantix is not the answer for everyone, it is a valid option that widens the choices available to smokers today who are looking for a way to quit smoking.

If you're a smoker who would like to use a quit aid to help you over the hump of nicotine withdrawal, have a chat with your doctor to weigh the pros and cons of the various quit smoking products on the market today.

Page Two: Resources to Help You Quit Smoking

View the original article here

Smoking Cessation Moderators

Forum ID:AbQuitSmking
Nickname: T. / Terry
Quit Date:October 29, 2001
Terry's Quit Story

I am Terry Martin, your Guide to About.com Smoking Cessation.

The About.com Smoking Cessation forum is a unique environment unlike any I've found elsewhere on the Internet (or in real life, for that matter). This active community of people from all over the world come together with an important shared goal; quitting tobacco and saving lives.

I've always said that the best of our human spirit is alive and well within the virtual walls of this community, and it's the truth. The give-and-take between forum members comes straight from the heart and has the ability to lift us up and out of the prison of nicotine addiction. If you're new to online support, please take some time to browse the forum as a guest. You'll quickly see why the support here is so special, and how it might help you find a way to put smoking in your past, permanently.

I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to the team of moderators who help keep this large online community running smoothly. Each of them quit smoking with the help of this forum, and have plenty of personal experience and knowledge to share in the area of smoking cessation.

Behind the scenes, the moderators and I work closely together to create and maintain the safe and healthy environment for healing you all count on. And because each of them brings his or her own unique outlook to the table, I can always rely on seeing the whole picture in a balanced way -- invaluable for me and for this forum.

So, without further ado, let's get on with the introductions!

View the original article here

Zyban and NRTs

Question: Can I use NRTs with Zyban?Answer:
Yes. You may use the NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) of your choice while on bupropion hydrochloride, also known as Zyban®. NRTs include products such as: Using Zyban in combination with a nicotine replacement therapy can be a good option for people who find that one type of quit smoking aid alone is not enough to keep them comfortable. The odds of success with smoking cessation also improve when these two therapies are used together.

Note: It is important to be monitored by your doctor if you choose to use both Zyban and a NRT, as high blood pressure can be a concern.

See Also:
Zyban Patient Information
Zyban as a Quit Smoking Aid

if(zSbL

View the original article here

Obesity and Smoking

Risk of death is 3.5 to 5 times greater for obese smokers than it is for people who have never smoked and are at a normal weight, according to a study published in the November, 2006 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The study, which began with a self-administered questionnaire taken between 1983 and 1989, asked more than 80,000 radiologic technologists aged 22 to 92 questions about age, height, weight and smoking behavior.

BMI (body mass index) was calculated, with a BMI of 30 to 34.9 being considered obese, and 35 and over being very obese. Smoking behavior was analyzed by looking at a person’s tobacco consumption level, number of years smoked, and current smoking status. Researchers then followed participants through December of 2002, noting the number of deaths that occurred.

Calculate Your BMI

The study involved researchers from the National Cancer Institute, the University of Minnesota and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. 20 percent of obese adults in the United States smoke. Obese smokers face a greater risk of death from cancer and circulatory disease. Current smoking is a greater risk factor for death by cancer than obesity is, generally speaking. The higher a person's pack-years (number of packs smoked per day times the number of years smoked) are, the greater the risk of death. Men and women of all ages faced an elevated risk of death due to circulatory disease as BMI increased. And for those who were both obese and currently smoking, risk of circulatory disease increased 6 to 11 times under the age of 65, as compared to their never-smoking, normal weight counterparts.While it’s not surprising that obesity coupled with smoking is a recipe for trouble, it is important to highlight this growing health concern in America today. Making healthy choices can be difficult when we’re constantly bombarded with products that are hazardous to our health, but it's not impossible. With education and some motivation, we all have the ability to make lasting changes for the better. If you’re an overweight smoker worried about gaining weight due to quitting, take heart. It’s never too late to change your course and even reverse damage to some extent. If you need to lose weight and quit smoking, break your goals down into realistic, workable chunks. Don’t overwhelm yourself by looking at the big picture – focus your attention on the day you have in front of you only. We cannot change the past, and it’s futile to worry about the future. Today is where your power to make changes in your life lies. Use it to your advantage! In order to quit smoking successfully, you must give cessation 100% of your attention for the first few months; often more. Think weight maintenance rather than weight loss while your quit program is young. Aim at holding your weight steady for now – a realistic goal while you are working to quit smoking. Once you have some smoke free time under your belt and you're feeling more comfortable (yes, the day will come!), you can shift your focus over to weight loss. You may even find that the strength and sense of personal power that quitting has given you will make losing weight easier too. If your eating habits remain the same as they were when you smoked, you can expect to gain approximately 5 to 10 pounds. This gain is temporary, and will fall away once your body adjusts to cessation, as long as you continue eating normally! You can further help yourself avoid weight gain when you quit smoking by adding some exercise to your daily regimen. Do as much or as little as you’re comfortable with, and be sure to check with your doctor if you have health concerns that could influence increased physical activity. Put your health at the top of your list of priorities and resolve to begin changing your lifestyle for the better. It won’t be long before what feels like a chore becomes an enjoyable challenge with tangible rewards. Momentum is a beautiful thing! Use it to fuel your determination to make lasting healthy changes in your life...one simple day at a time.

Sources:
Double Jeopardy: Obese Smokers at Higher Risk of Death Health Behavior News Service
Freedman DM, et al. The Mortality Risk of Smoking and Obesity Combined. Am J Prev Med 31(5), 2006.

View the original article here

Picking a Day to Quit Tobacco

It's so easy to put off quitting...

Has anyone ever told you that "you'll quit smoking when you're ready"? If you wait for the perfect time to quit smoking, it may never come. You could find yourself facing a serious smoking-related illness while you're waiting to be "ready." Not a pleasant thought, but the fact is, it happens every day. Tobacco kills upwards of 470,000 people in the United States every year. And globally, a person dies a smoking-related death every 8 seconds.

Life is busy and it can seem like there is never a good time to quit. Go ahead and pick a date, but when making your choice, consider your schedule. A little thought and planning will help you get started on the right foot. Avoid beginning your quit program when you are under extraordinary stress. We all have stress in our daily lives, but if you're facing unusual pressure or have suffered a recent loss, consider giving yourself a little space between the event and your quit smoking date. Smoking cessation takes a lot of focus early on, so it makes sense to shift your quit date slightly if you've recently experienced or anticipate one of the following situations: A big event such as an upcoming marriage, graduation, finals etc. A loss or traumatic event, such as a death in the family or a divorce Other particularly stressful events in your life.That said, please bear in mind that as smokers, it doesn't take much to talk ourselves out of getting started with cessation, so use care that you don't avoid quitting because you're just not ready to face it. You might want to choose a day to quit smoking that has special meaning for you. For most of us, quitting tobacco is an emotional event, and picking a date that has personal significance can make the event more meaningful, and serve as motivation. Popular quit dates include: Birthdays - either yours or that of a loved oneMonths and even years can easily slip by before we finally decide to put our cigarettes down and quit smoking. Once you've picked your quit date, stick to it. Start the work of educating yourself about what to expect when you begin your quit program, and gather some supplies to have on hand. Nicotine addiction is insidious, and the fear most of us feel when thinking about quitting can be paralyzing. Don't let that happen to you. Get serious, start planning, and set the date to make your quit program a reality.

It's worth the work - your precious life is worth the work!

View the original article here

Health Effects of Smoking

Smokers have a harder time healing from surgeries, and have more overall health issues than do nonsmokers. This results in more time away from work, and more doctor and hospital visits. Smoking compromises a person's health in so many ways. Smokers are more likely to be absent from work than nonsmokers, and their illnesses last longer. Smokers tend to incur more medical costs, to see physicians more often in the outpatient setting, and to be admitted to the hospital more often and for longer periods than nonsmokers. Smokers have a lower survival rate after surgery compared to that of nonsmokers because of damage to the body's host defenses, delayed wound healing, and reduced immune response. Smokers are at greater risk for complications following surgery, including wound infections, postoperative pneumonia, and other respiratory complications. Periodontitis is a serious gum disease that can result in the loss of teeth and bone loss. Smoking is causally related to periodontitis. This may be because smoking affects the body's ability to fight infection and repair tissue. Peptic ulcers, which are located in the digestive tract (stomach and duodenum), usually occur in people with an infection caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. Among persons with this infection, smokers are more likely to develop peptic ulcers than nonsmokers. In severe cases, peptic ulcers can lead to death. Although only a small number of studies have looked at the relationship between smoking and erectile dysfunction, their findings suggest that smoking may be associated with an increased risk for this condition. More studies are needed, however, before researchers can conclude that smoking is causally related to erectile dysfunction.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004. if(zSbL

View the original article here

Quit Smoking Benefits - 1 Year

Your excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker after one year.

Cigarette smoking is directly linked to 30% of all heart disease deaths in the United States each year. It plays a part in coronary heart disease and causes damage by decreasing oxygen to the heart. Smoking increases blood pressure and heart rate, both of which are hard on the heart. Quitting tobacco is the absolute best thing you can do for your heart and for your health overall.

If you've put a year between you and the last cigarette you smoked, congratulations! Be grateful for the freedom you have created for yourself. Protect and nurture it. The benefits of the positive choices you've made will continue to grow as you move forward from here.

Here at About.com Smoking Cessation, we offer certificates (free) to commemorate your first year smoke free. They can be printed out and framed, or used as a wallpaper background for your computer. You've worked hard for your freedom! Select a certificate and we'll personalize it and send it out to you as a .jpg file.

One Year Smoke Free Milestone Certificate Gallery

Smoking affects who we are more than most of us realize. Quitting tobacco is similar to peeling back the layers of the onion to find the person you were meant to be before addiction stepped into your life. Read through some of the perspectives of those who have completed their first year smoke free:

One Year Milestones

Statistics tell us that only 7% of those who quit without support are still smoke free at the end of their first year. Fortify your cessation program with plenty of support from the forum here at Smoking Cessation.

*******************************

Your chance of achieving long-term success with quitting tobacco increases significantly after two years.

Smoking Relapse Rates Drop Off Sharply After Two Years

If you're thinking about quitting smoking, there is no time like the present to get started. Change begins with a single first step. Stop just thinking about quitting, and start taking action. Throw the cigarettes away, and start your quit today.

Quit Smoking Benefits: 5 to 15 Years

Start the quit process now: Sign up for a free Quit Smoking e-course.
Source:

2004 Surgeon General's Report: Poster: Within 20 Minutes of Quitting 27 May 2004. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

View the original article here

Quit Aids and Weight Gain

I'm so afraid I'll gain weight when I quit smoking. I've heard that Zyban or Wellbutrin will help me avoid weight gain. Is this true?Answer: Bupropion hydrochloride, better known as Zyban or Wellbutrin, has a side effect for some people of a reduced appetite, which can be a nice benefit for people who want to quit smoking. Bupropion is a prescription drug though, and must be used under a doctor's direction.

Nicotine lozenges may also help curb appetite to some extent early on in a person's quit program. A year long study looking at the efficacy of nicotine lozenges was conducted in 2002. It followed approximately 1800 people who quit smoking using either nicotine lozenges or placebos. Indications were that those participants using 4-mg nicotine lozenges had 45 percent less weight gain 6 weeks after quitting than those using the placebo. At 12 weeks quit, weight gain was 21 percent less, and at 6 months, the difference in weight gain between the two groups wasn't enough to be of significance.(1)

Medications to Help You Quit Smoking:

Some of the above medications are available without a prescription, however, do check in with your doctor and discuss your options in order to choose a quit aid that's right for you.

See Also:
The Chubster
Minimizing Weight Gain When You Quit Smoking
Maia's Thoughts on Weight Loss at 6 Months Smoke Free

(1)Arch Intern Med. 2002;162:1267-1276

Updated: 2-20-2006

View the original article here

Formaldehyde in Tobacco Smoke

Sources:

Formaldehyde Exposures from Tobacco Smoke: a Review. T. Godish. August, 1989. American Journal of Public Health.

IARC Classifies Formaldehyde as Carcinogenic to Humans. 15 June, 2004. International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Irritants in Cigarette Smoke Plumes. Ayer, HE, Yeager, DW. 1982 Nov; 72(11): 1283-5. American Journal of Public Health.

Toxfaqs for Formaldehyde. June, 1999. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

View the original article here

Carcinogen

Definition:

A carcinogen is defined as any substance that can cause or aggravate cancer.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer assigns carcinogens a rating by grouping them into one the following five standard classifications: Group 1: The agent is carcinogenic to humans.Group 2A: The agent is probably carcinogenic to humans.Group 2B: The agent is possibly carcinogenic to humans.Group 3: The agent is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans.Group 4: The agent is probably not carcinogenic to humans.See also: Cancer

Sources:

if(zSbL

View the original article here

All About Lung Cancer

The diagnosis of lung cancer can be devastating. If it happens to you or a loved one, you'll want accurate information and answers to your questions in terms you can understand.

Use the resources below as a starting point in your research to understand what cancer is, how lung cancer symptoms present themselves, and how lung cancer is diagnosed and treated.

According to the American Cancer Society, 87 percent of all lung cancer cases involve tobacco. Cigarette smoking, cigar smoking and secondhand smoke can all contribute to both non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Early diagnosis of lung cancer can be difficult because symptoms don't often present themselves aggressively until the disease is in advanced stages. A doctor will evaluate several factors when diagnosing lung cancer. A patient's smoking history, exposure to occupational hazards and family history will be taken into account. If cancer is present, the doctor will want to determine whether it has spread to other parts of the body, what is known as staging. Lung cancer often spreads to the brain or bones. Staging helps the doctor decide on a plan for treatment. The particulars of lung cancer stages from About.com Lung Cancer. Surgery may be chosen as the best course of treatment for non-small cell lung cancer, especially if the cancer is detected in its early stages and hasn't spread to other areas of the body. Side effects from lung cancer treatments vary from person to person, and are often temporary. Doctors and nurses can explain possible side effects of a particular treatment plan, and ways to alleviate discomfort during and after treatment.

View the original article here

My Story

I got so tired of feeling helpless to quit and living with the fear that I was killing myself slowly, one cigarette at a time. Quitting seemed impossible and yet I could picture it in my mind's eye so clearly. I could barely go 4 hours without a butt though, let alone days, months and years. At least that is what I believed...but as strong as my need to feed the addiction was, my desire to be free of it was becoming even more compelling. I was in constant turmoil over it, and it was an awful way to live.

I had a couple of fitful starts just prior to my quit date of Oct 29, 2001. They didn't even amount to a blip on the screen. Looking back on it, I think i was mentally revving my engine, getting ready to get serious. I wanted to quit so badly. I bought the second box of patches. I had wasted the first box with all of my starting and stopping, and it stung a little to buy the next box, but I did it. I was sick with a cold that had gone into my lungs by the second day. I was frightened by the severity of the symptoms I was having. That was on a Friday. I smoked all weekend, not quite sure just when the quit would begin. I was longing for it and dreading it at the same time. Finally, I found enough courage to put out that last cigarette on Monday morning, Oct 29th, 2001.

I felt desperate to make it work...

...but like any addict, I doubted my ability to make this quit stick. I went along for the first 5 days moment to moment. I was amazed and thrilled at each day I completed without smoking. A part of my mind was in constant chatter mode too: "I'll get some cigarettes on my way to work.", "I'll stop for a pack on my way home.", or, "If I don't feel better by tonight, I'll buy some." It was annoying, frustrating, and loud! It wore me out to have so many thoughts of smoking, and my mind spent a huge amount of time trying to convince me to cave. It was tough to hold on, but I did, just barely.

Hudson, (my namesake on the forum, as some of you know) came into my life on day 6. He was an 8 week old german shepard pup, and I spent the next several weeks of my quit chasing him around the house as well as getting up with him at night when he needed to go out. Instead of nursing myself through the worst of my withdrawal phase with lots pampering, I was taking care of a newborn! I did like the fact that this little guy never saw me take a puff though, and I've always thought of him as my quit buddy.

View the original article here

Karen's 10 Quit Tips

I'd like to introduce you to Karen, a member of the About.com Smoking Cessation forum. When she reached a year smoke-free, Karen shared 10 tips that helped her adopt a winning mindset with the forum community. Her post inspired so many I thought I'd add it to our permanent collection of personal quit stories so that it might live on to help others.

Thanks, Karen!

From Karen:

In order to quit smoking for good, you have to change your attitude toward your quit. Believe me, I know how hard cold turkey is; it was my method of choice, and I smoked for over 33 years. I started when I was 12 and I'm going on 46 years old now.

More than anything else, what I most want you to know is that when you quit, you are not giving up smoking you are taking back your life.

The discomforts of nicotine withdrawal may seem like hell as you're going through it, but in reality it is a sign that your body is healing. That's right, healing. Look at recovery as a positive thing. It takes about 72 hour to process most of the nicotine in your body. You will release the rest within a few weeks.

Throughout the first three weeks of smoking cessation I slept a lot. I had mood swings, urges to smoke, brain fog with forgetfulness and other symptoms of withdrawal, but they all faded with time. The reason it's so uncomfortable is that your body is working to release not only nicotine, but all of the thousands of other chemicals in cigarettes it has become used to receiving multiple times a day.

Most people who quit successfully have learned that smoking cessation is 99 percent attitude. Stop thinking of quitting tobacco as a loss, or as something impossible, and start thinking of it as the beginning of freedom and a long healthy life.

And think about this: no one ever died from quitting smoking, just from not quitting smoking.

Here are my top 10 ways (in no particular order) to get started with adjusting your attitude for success:

1. Create a post at the smoking cessation support forum asking people to share the positive experiences they've had since quitting. Read it for inspiration.

2. Read through the forum messages from others. You will be surprised at the motivational power it will have for you. When you take a break from posting about yourself, you shift your focus and give yourself some space for clarity.

3. Celebrate the victories of fellow forum members. Go to Dot Milestones and celebrate someone's new dot. Go to the Star Milestones and celebrate a new star, especially a first or second star. You will find it uplifting and motivational. If you are new to quitting, the Dot and Star milestones, which celebrate weeks and months smoke-free respectively, will be close enough for you to feel you can reach those goals too. If you are able to feel that a year is not hopelessly out of reach, jump in to the One Year and Beyond Milestones and celebrate someone's one year anniversary. These folders are designed to help you focus on the positive aspects of quitting.

4. Keep a journal and write down positive things that you've noticed that day about quitting. This will help keep you focused on being successful. Even if you can only come up with one thing, that's okay. You will find more and more each day that you don't smoke. Entries can be something like "I am proud of myself for not smoking today" or "My clothes smell nice and fresh".

5. Get a copy of Allen Carr's "Easy Way To Stop Smoking".

6. Take control of your quit program, don't let your quit take control of you. Tell your inner junkie/nicodemon that you are stronger than that and he won't win. Sometimes having an inner dialogue with your junkie/demon is helpful. This is a fantasy conversation where you get to be Sheena Warrior Princess, Wonder woman, or whomever your superhero is. Living well is the best revenge...stick it to the junkie/nicodemon and enjoy your new smoke-free life.

7. Try to keep yourself busy, well-rested, well-fed and well-hydrated. Managing nicotine withdrawal is much harder when you are tired, hungry, dehydrated, bored, etc. Take care of yourself - just as much as you take care of your family, or others.

8. If all else fails, post an S.O.S. at the forum for help if you can't cope with an urge to smoke, or you're having a rough time. It really does work. Promise yourself you'll wait for three answers to your message before you run out to buy smokes. Read the inspiring things people say to you. Focus on the positive.

9. Take a break from the support forum if it's increasing rather than decreasing your urge to smoke. That can happen. It might be time to distract yourself with something different for the moment. When you are feeling stronger, come back and go to point #3 from above.

10. Laugh. Every day.

Thanks for sharing your insights, Karen. It is through a change of outlook that we are able to permanently break the mental chains that hold us tight to the habit of smoking.

If you're a smoker hoping to quit, or an ex-smoker looking to strengthen your motivation to stay smoke-free, please join us at the support forum here at About.com Smoking Cessation. The help and camaraderie available there is second to none.

View the original article here

Alveoli

Illustration © A.D.A.M. Definition:
Tiny, delicate air sacs deep within the lungs, where the gas/blood exchange occurs. Oxygen from inhaled air passes through the walls of aveoli and enters the bloodstream while carbon dioxide passes out in the same way when air is exhaled.

Toxins from cigarette smoke can break the thin walls of alveoli, leaving larger, less efficient air sacs. In a smoker, this process signals the beginning of emphysema, a form of COPD.

See also:
"All About COPD"
"Emphysema Causes and Symptoms"

if(zSbL

View the original article here

Side Effects of Zyban

Question: What Are the Side Effects of Using Zyban?Answer:
The most common side effects of using bupropion hydrochloride, also known as Zyban® are: dry mouth insomnia change in appetite agitation headachesRarely, bupropion can cause seizures, which is why people who have an existing seizure disorder should not take this drug. It is important to carefully follow your doctor's recommendations about dosage due to this risk.

Additionally, during clinical studies, the most common side effects which caused people to discontinue use of bupropion chloride were shakiness (jitters) and skin rash.

See Also:
Zyban Patient Information
Zyban as a Quit Smoking Aid

if(zSbL

View the original article here

I Quit Smoking Because...

According to the Centers for Disease Control, upwards of 70 percent of all smokers want to quit smoking.

Think about that....70 out of every 100 people who smoke wish they didn't, yet they go on smoking. Why? Because nicotine is an insidious addiction. It weaves its way into the fabric of our lives, attaching itself to every activity and every emotion we have, until we think that, without our cigarettes, we won't be able to function properly or enjoy life.

Making that decision to finally put down the cigarettes and call a halt to smoking is, for most people, the result of something dramatic - either an event or emotional angst. It's the final straw that makes us say "No More!"

Kerri, a moderator at the About.com Smoking Cessation Forum asked members to share what that final straw was for them by completing the sentence: I quit because...

Here are their answers. "I never wanted to have to tell my 2 boys that I had cancer." WonderWoman/Kerri

"After 47 years of smoking, I chose life and freedom over fear of failure." Blossom62/Betty

"My breathing got really bad." Dadmont/Gaylene

"I was afraid of living my last years/months attached to an oxygen tank, fighting for every breath." Annabanana/Anna

"I didn't like the look of fear in my children's eyes every time I lit up." Cathomas86/Christine

"I was diagnosed with smoking related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and my breathing was bad." JillyAnderson/Jilly

"I love my ten month old daughter and want to see her grow up and be able to lead her in the right direction in life." Antz06

"I watched my dad die...smoking still...dragging around that oxygen tank." Sue2006/Sue

"I nearly died, aged 43 years and 2 weeks old, from a stroke and brain hemorrhage on 21st June 2005." BrewSTAR/Paul

"I took a look at my gorgeous teen age son and realized that if I did not quit smoking I would not be around to see him grow up, get married, and have children of his own." CurlyBaggins/Patty

"My gums were starting to look horrible and I hate bad teeth!" KimLondon

"The anxiety (fear) that I wouldn't quit in time got harder to live with than quitting was to do." AbQuitSmking/Terry

"I was really scared I would not be in time to save myself from some form of smoking related cancer." Luisa1958/Luisa

"I hate wrinkles and smoking causes more of them." LiAudra

"I want to be in control, not some cigarette." GrammaJamma/Jan

"I had a precancerous nodule on my vocal cords removed." PollyEliza/Polly

"I like being able to breathe and don't want to end up in a hospital bed with lung cancer thinking that I could have done something to prevent it." Ab_StLouis/Richard

"I quit because I was so tired of being an addict. Just a waste of time, energy, health, money...on and on." WendysQuit/Wendy

"I couldn't even walk up 9 steps without wheezing and coughing." Stacie77

"I want to be the best me I can be and how could I do that while poisoning my body?" StarSadie/Cindy

How would you finish the sentence, "I quit because...."?

Create your own list of reasons and carry it with you, adding to it as time goes by. Our reasons are as varied and unique as we are people, but they are all significant and powerful motivators.

If you haven't yet quit smoking, let the words on this page inspire you to make cessation a reality in your life too. We all have the ability to quit smoking successfully, and we all deserve a life that is free of addiction. Honor yours by thinking about your reasons and making your quit program the number one priority in your life. You'll never regret the decision to quit smoking.

Choose life!

View the original article here

Health Improvements Continue..

Between 1 to 9 months smoke-free:

Starting as early as a month after you quit smoking, and continuing for the next several months, you may notice significant improvements in these areas: coughing sinus congestion fatigue shortness of breathIt's important to remember that healing from nicotine addiction is a process, and while some improvements are dramatic and happen quickly, others will come more gradually. My own sense of smell took a huge jump in sensitivity 8 months after I quit smoking. It was a surprise to me, and it reinforced the truth of the gradual nature of recovery from this addiction.

And the changes don't stop with improvements to physical health, either. Your confidence will soar as you accumulate more smoke-free time. Breaking the chains of slavery to nicotine addiction is nothing short of empowering. 6 Months Smoke Free!
For a shot of inspiration, read these personal accounts from forum members here at About.com Smoking Cessation.The Benefits of Smoking Cessation
We all expect our physical health to improve when we quit smoking, but that is just the beginning of the journey that smoking cessation takes us on ...For all of the work it takes to shed the addiction to nicotine, the incredible feelings of freedom and control you'll be rewarded with when you quit smoking are just the beginning of the benefits headed your way.

Smoking cessation will change your life!

Quit Smoking Benefits: 1 to 2 Years

Start the quit process now with a free quit smoking e-course.

Source:

2004 Surgeon General's Report: Poster: Within 20 Minutes of Quitting 27 May 2004. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

View the original article here

The First Six Months

Between nicotine withdrawal and recovering from the many associations we have with smoking, the first six smoke-free months are challenging for most people. The ups and downs of smoking cessation are poignantly reflected in the following personal accounts that detail the challenges at various points during the first six months smoke-free.

Settle in and do some reading -- there is no shortage of inspiration and motivation to succeed to be found on these pages!

KerriFrom Kerri
"My name is Kerri. I'm 31 years old, and I have been a nicotine addict for more than half of my life. I was 13 when I smoked my first cigarette. My friends turned green; I got good at it. By 15, I was using my lunch money to buy cigarettes."zSB(3,3)MaryFrom Mary:
"I started on a slippery road
with fear and trembling in my sack,
but once around the corner
I knew there was no turning back."DarleneFrom Darlene:
"Please rejoice with me, because I am one of the lucky ones. I quit smoking and have been given a second chance. I am three months smoke-free as of today, September 9, 2008, and have found a peace and freedom that I've never before felt. I believe it is because I quit smoking and have completely changed my life. I abused my body big time in many ways for most of my life, but no more."StockxpertFrom Kay:
"One thing I have learned here is that all it takes is a single puff to break a quit. By reaching for a smoking buddy's pack after not smoking for a few days or weeks, I actually lost all my previous quits well before the three-month anniversary."StockxpertFrom Marah:
"I hope to encourage new quitters by listing some of the benefits I’ve derived from not smoking these past 3 months. I smoked for 27 years, 20 of those years a pack a day or more. For the last 3 or 4 years, I’d been chewing 5-6 pieces of nicotine gum a day on top of 20 cigarettes, so I had ungodly amounts of nicotine coursing through my bloodstream."LarryFrom Larry:
"Here it is Christmas Eve day 2006, and tomorrow morning around 9 am PST it will be 4 months since I put out that ONE cigarette I had been in search of for the better part of 50 years (the last ONE). How in the world could ONE stinking cigarette be so elusive, so hard to find?"AngelaFrom Angela:
"When I think of a cigarette, I think of the four thousand chemicals that would rush into my mouth and burn their way into my once healthy lungs. I think about that nasty taste, that nasty ring of polluted air I would create in the space around my body."DeeFrom Dee:
"This does not have to be a 24/7 battle. Fact: there is a price to pay(urges, cravings, etc)for freedom. Relax, accept that fact. Keep it simple, take it one day at a time, and move the heck on and enjoy your life being smoke free"zSB(1,2)JaneFrom Jane:
"Long before August 5, 2006, I had been thinking how much I hated smoking, not quitting smoking, just hating it. After all, I had smoked for 37 years. Cigarettes were a part of who I was, how I functioned, and ingrained into my fiber."LeslyFrom Lesly:
'Six months, half a year, and two seasons since I smoked.'(EB) "This is so hard for me to believe! I'd like to take a minute and give my thoughts to people coming up behind me, or people who might be struggling. To get free of this addiction, it is my belief that you have to educate yourself to the "lie" of the cigarette."Readers Respond: Our Reasons to Quit Smokingif(zSbL

View the original article here

Smoking and DDD

Ex-smoker Michelle Boisvert suffers from degenerative disc disease (DDD). Diagnosed at the age of 33, she has since learned that cigarette smoking is a leading risk factor for degenerative disc disease.

From Michelle:

As someone who is very grateful to have found freedom from nicotine addiction and as someone who suffers from a smoking-related illness, I have been prompted to research and offer my findings about the relationship between smoking and degenerative disc disease.

I was diagnosed with severe DDD in 1998 when I was 33 years old and still a smoker. My orthopedic surgeon discovered the DDD while he was performing surgery after I ruptured a disc in my lower back. Discs are the pliable “cushions” found between the vertebrae, which serve as shock absorbers for the bones in the neck and back.

The term “degenerative disc disease” has met with criticism by some because all discs do degenerate naturally over time. It is a normal part of the aging process, but in some younger adults the discs degenerate more quickly than in others, causing the discs to lose fluid, become less pliable and less able to protect and support the vertebrae. The result can be chronic and debilitating pain.

Although genetic predisposition is the #1 risk factor, a growing number of studies indicate that smoking is a leading risk factor for DDD, both in the lumbar discs (lower back) and cervical discs (neck). Research suggests that smokers have a 3-4 times higher risk of developing DDD and that smoking can exacerbate pre-existing disc degeneration.

Nicotine deprives disc cells of vital nutrients. In addition to nicotine, smokers introduce carbon monoxide into the blood stream and from there into body tissues. These poisons inhibit the discs’ ability to absorb the nutrients they need from the blood. The result can be prematurely dehydrated, less pliable discs – degenerated discs.

As the discs become more and more malnourished, there is a greater risk of a ruptured disc. This occurs when the disc contents break through the outer layer of the disc, often impinging on nerves and causing great pain, numbness, and in some cases nerve damage in the legs or arms. These same poisons also interfere with the absorption of calcium, leading to a compromised vertebral structure.

Coughing, which is more prevalent among smokers, can also add to the risk. Coughing causes increased pressure between discs. This puts added strain on the spine and discs, creating greater risk of disc bulges and ruptures, especially in a spine already weakened because of smoking-related toxins.

Inactivity, which is also frequently associated with the smoker’s lifestyle, can result in a higher frequency of back pain in general, and unfortunately pain associated with DDD can make an active lifestyle more difficult to enjoy.

Treatment for DDD and disc ruptures range from doing nothing to major surgery, including spinal fusion. This surgical procedure involves removing disc material and fusing the vertebrae together with bone grafts and sometimes metal plates, rods and screws.

Anyone who is still smoking by the time this surgery is required is strongly advised to quit smoking prior to surgery. Many surgeons will not perform the surgery until the patient has been smoke-free for several months. Smoking impedes new bone growth, which is instrumental in the success of spinal fusion. Researchers have determined that nicotine is a bone toxin and as a result, the failure rate for many types of fusions can be 3-4 times higher for smokers.

More research is being done to study the relationship between smoking and DDD, but there is ample evidence already to suggest that quitting smoking now may reduce the risk of developing or exacerbating DDD.

To those who might be contemplating quitting and wondering if you have another 10, 20, or 30 years to smoke before you do any real or lasting damage, please think again and don’t take the gamble. It’s so risky, and I urge you to think about what you’re putting on the line. For every warning actually listed on a pack of cigarettes there are many more illnesses, diseases, and complications that smoking can cause. Quit now, and at least know that from this day forward you are doing all you can to protect your health and well-being.

Please take advantage of the wealth of knowledge to be found at the About.com Smoking Cessation web site and check out the Smoking Cessation Forum for the best support on the web.

~Michelle Boisvert~

Sources:

Effect of Nicotine on Spinal Disc Cells. Akmal M, Kesani A, Anand B, Singh A,et al. 1 March, 2004. National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. Rajeev K Patel, MD. 3 August, 2009. EMedicine.com.

Degenerative Disc Disease and Low Back Pain Thomas G. Lowe, M.D. Spine Universe.

Cigarette Smoking and its Impact on Spinal Fusions. Larry Davidson, M.D. 13 August, 2007.

Spine Surgery and Cigarette Smoking. The Burton Report.

More from Michelle:

]Michelle's Quit Story
Michelle's 1 Year Milestone
Michelle's 2 Year Milestone
Michelle's 3 Year Milestone
Michelle's 4 Year Milestone
Michelle's 5 Year Milestone
Patience With the Process
A Perspective on Using NRT's
There is No Substitute for Time
Managing Quit-Related Depression

View the original article here

Emphsema Symptoms

Illustration of Emphysema from A.D.A.M.

Emphysema is a severe lung disease in which the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs become damaged. Normal, healthy lungs look like upside down branches of a tree with many thousands of these tiny air sacs at the ends of those branches. Lungs with emphysema have fewer, larger sacs.
While environmental pollution can cause emphysema, cigarette smoking is by far the most common cause. The chemicals in cigarette smoke are thought to damage the delicate walls of the alveoli, ultimately breaking them down, leaving larger sacs that are less efficient at processing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that allows us to breathe properly. These larger sacs are also weaker in structure than many smaller ones and will collapse and trap air, making it much more difficult for the lungs to properly inflate and deflate. The result is breathlessness. Additionally, the following symptoms could be associated with emphysema: A person with emphysema may develop a barrel chest in which the distance from the chest to the back is more pronounced due to trapped air within the lungs.

Emphysema is slow to progress. This lung disease develops very gradually over a period of many years, and often goes unnoticed until a person begins having difficulty with breathing on mild exertion. The effects of emphysema are permanent and irreversible. However, if a person stops smoking soon enough, they may be able to arrest further damage and even improve their lung function to some extent.

Emphysema Treatments

View the original article here

Chery'ls Story Part Two

From you Guide to About.com Smoking Cessation, Terry Martin: I had the honor of meeting Cheryl in December of 2003, shortly after she'd been diagnosed with stage IV small cell lung cancer. It was her wish to do whatever she possibly could to help people quit smoking, so she wrote this article, along with another detailing her thoughts and life after diagnosis called Cheryl's Story of Courage and Caring. I think she accomplished her goal many times over. Her stories have been read by thousands of people all over the world, and many have found the inspiration they needed to stop smoking for good after reading what she had to share.

We all lost a very courageous and loving woman when Cheryl succumbed to her cancer on June 30, 2005. Please read her story, and take her words to heart. What happened to Cheryl could happen to anyone. Smoking is a deadly habit, and it will kill you, given the chance. It has nothing of value to offer you. Nothing.

I came to live here after I was diagnosed with limited small cell lung cancer and squamous cell 3rd stage B cancer on November 19, 2003.

Now, I wasn't aware of this place, nor did I realize I had already become a participating resident for about three weeks. Every time I heard a statistic, or the time, date of this or that, I closed off my hearing and speech. I let my family do the hearing for me as we traveled back and forth to doctors and meetings for days on end. It took me a bit of traveling blindly to get here, but finally the wheels came to a stop. The cigarette smoke and the clouds of denial and confusion finally lifted before my eyes, dry from radiation. I wanted to see the truth. I was raw and weary from the trip, but I was finally ready to learn what I needed to do in order to survive. I was ready to be in control of this particular cycle of my life.

I watched and observed others in my condition. The experienced ones in the treatment rooms helped me along the way. They were kind and honest. Slowly, slowly, layer by layer, my old life's needs, wants and priorities were being stripped away. Those layers were useless to me now. One day I looked in the mirror, and what I saw was me, being as open and honest as I had ever been in my life. In reality, I was bald and ill, but in my mind's eye I was beautiful and my spirit soared. One side of my being wanted to Go! Live and love for all the days that were left!

That side said, "Be greedy and don't look ahead."

The other side of me said, "Get out there. Fight! Know thine enemy, cancer. Pay attention. This one is for the BIG test!"

Ok! I get it! I am here 100 percent. Cheryl is here for her new class on Life 101.

I am up and at 'em at 4am in order to get to the big city by 7:30 a.m. I grab my meds, coffee, my nic gum, my crystals, my ACA book, and Bernie Siegal, M.D.'s book, Love, Medicine and Miracles, and head for the car. I ride through my beloved, foggy morning bayous to get to the hospital. By the time I get to the second floor of the hospital, the nurses are turning on the blinking, popping florescent lights at their stations, thereby erasing all of the darkness of yesterday. For one tiny second, we are all the same. Just people beginning their work day. Not patients, not nurses, just people. But it's just for a tiny second.As I walk into the chemo treatment room, I first look around to see who isn't there. I make a mental note to ask the nurse or others about the missing person later. Then, and only then, will I focus on the faces who are there. I find a splendid beauty in every single face I behold on these days. I think I am finally getting it. Only God could have created man. I see humanity and caring shining through the pain and fear when I see these people helping each other.

Healing Comes in Many Forms... - page 2 of The Healing World

View the original article here

Quit Smoking Weight Gain

Most people who quit smoking worry about gaining weight. It seems to go with the territory. While a small gain is normal, excessive weight gain when you quit smoking can create new health problems and erode your determination to stay off cigarettes. Learn what you can do to keep your weight under control as you go through the process of recovery from nicotine addiction.

Why do people gain weight when they quit smoking?

Smoking increases metabolism slightly: Smoking burns up to 200 calories a day in a heavy smoker Because smoking burns calories, metabolism is boosted (increased) slightly Nicotine is an appetite suppressantWhen you quit smoking, a gain of between 5 and 10 pounds during the first few months of cessation is normal. If your eating habits have remained the same as they were when you smoked, you can easily shed this small gain with a brisk, 30 minute walk daily.

Why do I want to eat more?
Smoking cessation throws our bodies into shock initially. Increased appetite is a side effect of quitting tobacco for most people. One or more of the following reasons may be at play: Cigarettes as an appetite suppressant
Smokers often avoid between meal snacking by lighting up. Nicotine is a stimulant, and may also interfere with the release of the hormone insulin. Insulin controls glucose levels in the blood. When this function is blocked, a person will become slightly hyperglycemic, and as a result, the body and brain may slow down the hormones and other signals that trigger feelings of hunger.Food as a replacement for smoking
Early on in a person's quit, the urge to smoke is frequent and uncomfortable. It's natural to look for something to ease the discomfort, and food is often used as a replacement. Not only does it fill the void left by the cigarette, food can be an emotional comfort, easing the pain of withdrawal.Studies have shown that women are at greater risk than men for returning to smoking as a way to avoid weight gain. Understanding what happens to our bodies when we quit smoking, and what we can do to alleviate discomforts in constructive ways that do not involve weight gain will help you stay on track.

What can I do to avoid gaining weight when I quit smoking?
There are a number of choices you can make to minimize weight gain:

Exercise
Because quitting smoking slows the metabolism, getting some form of daily exercise is very important. To combat excess weight, shoot for at least a half hour of exercise, 5 days a week. It doesn't have to be a high intensity aerobic workout - a brisk 30 minute walk around your neighborhood will work wonders. Exercise is also a great way to beat cravings to smoke. If you're having a bad day, get out for a walk. It'll clear your mind and improve your attitude.

Healthy Snacks
Put snacks together ahead of time so that when the munchies hit, you've got good food choices within easy reach: vegetable sticks - celery, carrot 94% fat free popcorn sunflower seeds in the shell Water - drink lots of it! hard candies to suck on fresh fruit fat free yogurt herbal teas hot cocoa made with nonfat milk frozen grapes fat free fudgeciclesIf you're concerned about weight gain, do yourself a favor and remove tempting, high fat foods from your home. Don't have a chocolate cake on the counter begging you to cut a slice. If you have an intense craving for a hot fudge sundae, it's better to go out and have one at a restaurant than it is to keep all of the ingredients to make it on hand in the house.

Avoid Alcohol
Not only is alcohol high in calories, it can be a huge trigger to smoke. For many people, smoking and drinking go together like a hand in a glove. Avoid the empty calories in alcohol, but more importantly, don't put yourself at risk of relapse by drinking early in your quit.

One Challenge at a Time
People who quit smoking often decide it's time to clean their lives up in other areas as well. That's great, but be careful. If you try to do too many self-improvement projects at once, you run the risk of failing at all of them.

Keep these points in mind: Be good to yourself. Quitting tobacco is a huge accomplishment, and you should reward yourself for your progress often. Don't underestimate the magnitude of what you are doing.Be patient. Quitting smoking is a process over time. It doesn't happen overnight, but in comparison to the number of years most of us smoked, recovery from this addiction is short. Give yourself the time you need to heal.Accept yourself. You are a wonderful person just as you are right now.If you gain a few pounds while going through the process of quitting tobacco, so be it. The benefits will affect your life as well as those who love you in more ways than you can imagine. You can quit smoking without gaining a lot of weight. Don't let the fear of weight gain keep you chained to an addiction that will kill you, given the chance.

Weight can be lost, lungs cannot.

View the original article here

Weight Control Tips

Statistics tell us that most people who quit smoking gain some weight initially. On average, that gain is between 4 to 10 pounds. And for a lot of folks, it is temporary and falls back off within the first year of smoking cessation.

Learn how smoking affects metabolism, and create a plan of action to minimize potential weight gain before you quit smoking. A little preparation can go a long way toward helping you avoid the need to invest in a larger wardrobe to fit your new, nonsmoking self.

Don't overload yourself with too many expectations. Smoking cessation, while far from impossible, is hard work for most of us early on. Starting a new diet at the same time you quit smoking can be a recipe for disaster. Aim instead to maintain your current weight while you manage nicotine withdrawal and the months beyond it. Once you're comfortable with your smoke-free status, you can turn your attention to shedding extra weight you're carrying. If you've only gained the typical 4 to 10 pounds, the task won't be too daunting. For many ex-smokers, food takes on a new importance that can quickly become an unhealthy obsession if we're not careful.

Why?

In part, it has to do with needing a replacement for the act of smoking. Smokers have a powerful hand-to-mouth association and eating is a hand-to-mouth activity. But also, food simply tastes better without cigarette tar clogging delicate taste buds on our tongues. It's not uncommon for ex-smokers to note that food tastes entirely different than it did when they smoked.

And then there is the fact that food signals comfort for many of us. A lot of people, smokers or not, use food to soothe and pacify. For those of us who are dealing with the discomforts of nicotine withdrawal, it's natural to turn to food to ease raw nerves and emotions.

While we cannot stop eating like we have stopped smoking, we can make choices that will help us avoid weight gain and even enhance how we feel physically. A diet rich in nutrients helps us be at our physical and emotional best, which, in turn makes it easier to maintain the strong will and determination that is necessary to successfully recover from nicotine addiction.

Use the tips below to help you start thinking creatively about how to use food as a tool for good health rather than a replacement for smoking. Pay attention to portions.
Downsize serving sizes: Use a lunch-size plate rather than a dinner plate, and stop after one plate full.Read labels.
Aim for foods low in fat and high in protein and fiber. And speaking of portion sizes, be sure to check packaged food labels for portion sizes as well.Keep temptation out of the house.
If it's not there, you can't eat it. Stock the fridge and cupboards with healthy food choices so that when the urge to snack strikes, the right foods are within easy reach.Indulge your sweet tooth at a restaurant.
Don't allow a half-gallon of ice cream shelf space in your freezer. Instead, head out to the ice cream parlor when you're in the mood for a sundae. Doing this safeguards against going back for another scoop, or worse, another bowl later on.Drink plenty of water.
If you have the urge to snack, drink a glass of water first. It will help fill you up. So you will eat less, and also beat cravings to smoke.Think 80/20.
If 80% of the meals and snacks you eat on a given day are healthy and in the right portions, you can allow yourself a few treats with the other 20% without throwing your diet out of whack.Eat more often.
Try eating 5 or 6 small meals throughout your day. The urge to snack is intense early on in cessation, so snack-size meals may suit your needs perfectly. And the good news is, small meals every few hours could give your metabolism a boost. Just watch your calories and keep the total for the day within the correct range for your body.Go for a walk.
Exercise will help you avoid weight gain. As little a half hour walk a day can be enough to help you keep your weight stable, as long as you're eating well too. And exercise improves mood too, a nice fringe benefit.Distract yourself.
Boredom is a big trigger for smoking and for eating. Make an abrupt change in what you're doing and you can distract yourself away from mindless snacking.Find some support.
The smoking cessation forum here at About.com is a supportive community of people who are working to quit smoking. Stop in and browse the message board of this active group as a guest, or register (free) and join the discussion.Early smoking cessation is an awkward, uncomfortable state for most of us. Add weight gain into the equation and we're ripe for a bad case of junkie thinking. Don't be tempted to return to smoking as a means to control your weight. Take it from one who knows. I lost a 6-month quit once because I was convinced smoking would help me lose weight. Wrong! When it was all said and done, I still had to diet to lose the weight I'd gained during smoking cessation, plus I needed to quit smoking again because I was back to a pack-a-day habit.

Dig your heels in and focus on losing your addiction to nicotine first and the weight second. Once you're comfortable in your nonsmoking skin, you'll be better equipped to apply your time and energy toward losing weight successfully. And speaking of success, there is absolutely nothing better for a person's self-confidence and ability to tackle challenges effectively than succeeding at smoking cessation.

Do what you need to do to boot this addiction out of your life now. If that means you gain a few pounds in the process, so be it. Weight can always be lost later, but your precious health cannot.

Source:

Forever Free -- Smoking and Weight. 2000. H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute at the University of South Florida.

View the original article here

Maia's Quit

I wanted to make a few comments about weight loss, especially aimed at people new to quitting smoking. For those of you who don't know me, I'm 31 years old, and have struggled for the last 10 years or so with some significant health issues(I have health issues that are very similar to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), although I do not yet have a firm diagnosis).

When I was 21, I got mononucleosis for the first time, and I continued to contract it every few years after that. Doctors will tell you to not be physically active when you have mono, as this will exacerbate symptoms and leave you open to opportunistic infections/viruses and other nasty stuff.

I had been active as a teenager and during my first few years of university. I was always a committed student, had a part-time job, and did volunteer work on the side. I was energetic, active, and always on the go. After my first bout of mono, everything changed for me. I could barely stay awake in my classes, could barely concentrate on my studies, and I had little or no energy for my friends. I like to joke now that I "spent my 20's having a nap", but it's basically the truth.

My health problems led to my first depressive episode, which caught me completely off guard. The more depressed I got, the more I smoked, and I was up to a pack a day by the time I was 23 years old. I had smoked throughout high school and my first few years of university, and I honestly believed that smoking had no impact on my health. I actually still believed that up until my quit six months ago. In any case, I now had the depression to deal with on top of my health problems.

As the years went by, I gained more and more weight, got more depressed, and saw many of my friendships evaporate because I didn't have the energy to maintain them. This, of course, led to more depression - which led to more smoking. It was all pretty circular. By this time last year, I was 45 pounds overweight, and had terrible self-esteem. There are almost no pictures of me over the last few years, because I refused to let anyone photograph me.

Last summer I decided that I would quit smoking in the fall. At the beginning of July, I started preparing for this difficult experience. I did more research on antidepressants. I had started taking St. John's Wort at 24 and had taken Prozac on and off over the years. They helped a bit, but my level of functioning was still extremely low, and I knew it.

I tried a new antidepressant which was also recommended in the treatment of migraines(which I also have) as well as CFS. The medicine started to kick in after six weeks or so, and I began to feel like my old self. I also started working out three or four times a week. I started off slow and didn't push myself. If I could only do five minutes that day, I only did five minutes. From July to the beginning of September, I dropped 15 pounds.

When I quit smoking, I told myself that I would not worry about my weight and would make cessation my highest priority. I continued to exercise and made some minor changes in my diet, but didn't do much else. I had a very difficult time throughout the first six weeks, but I turned a real corner at that point and barreled right ahead. I felt more energy than I had in years - I felt more positive, more happy, and more alive than I had in many years.

After five months of not smoking, I decided to try Weight Watchers and focus on my weight problems. At first I didn't lose any weight at all, but I kept going. Quitting smoking taught me how to take it one day at a time, and this skill worked in my favor with weight loss too.

This morning I stepped on the scale, and I've lost five pounds in the last month, and I'm down seven pounds from when I quit smoking. I know that some people do gain a little weight after they quit smoking, but I'm here to tell you that not everyone will gain weight. Don't let that fear stand in the way of the best decision you will ever make in your life. I truly believe that I would never have lost weight if I was still smoking. I've used the extra energy that I've got from smoking cessation to become more active and more involved in life. I don't want to be on the sidelines anymore.

Quitting smoking will create such amazing change in the rest of your life. It is not always an easy path, but it is so worth it. I celebrated my six month milestone yesterday, and I can promise that I will never go back to smoking. I have gained so much, and I absolutely refuse to let it go. I'm truly happy for the first time in years.

I look forward to the future, and I get excited about new challenges. I feel awesome, and I LOVE my life. This forum has played a huge role in my transformation, and I wanted to thank everyone who has supported me during the last six months. You guys ROCK!

Good luck to everyone, whether today is your first day smoke free or your first year. We can and we WILL all do this. We deserve health, happiness and everything great that life has to offer.

Cheers and hugs,
Maia(MSMOJO)

View the original article here

Nicotine Inhaler Facts

The Nicotrol nicotine inhaler is a NRT that consists of a plastic cigarette-like tube that houses a replaceable nicotine cartridge and a mouthpiece. The cartridge contains 10mg of nicotine.

When one draws on the mouthpiece end of the nicotine inhaler over the course of about 20 minutes / 80 puffs, 4mg of nicotine is released and 2mg is absorbed through the membranes in the mouth and throat. Less than 5 percent of the inhaled nicotine reaches the respiratory tract. This can be repeated every 1-2 hours.

One Nicotrol cartridge delivers about the same amount of nicotine to the user as one cigarette.

Pros:

The nicotine inhaler reduces symptoms of nicotine withdrawal by allowing ex-smokers to quit using nicotine gradually.

Cons:

The nicotine inhaler reinforces smoking behavior.
When we quit smoking, it is counter-productive to use a NRT that mimics the cigarettes we are working so hard to break free of, both in looks and in how it is used.

Risk of re-addiction.
Because the nicotine inhaler is used on an as-needed basis, the potential to abuse this quit aid is significant. As mentioned above, it is critical to use this nicotine-based product exactly as prescribed, weaning off of it in the amount of time suggested.

The nicotine inhaler is a solid tool that can help you quit smoking, but remember that it is a quit aid, not a miracle worker. The magic for success with smoking cessation lies within you, not a product.

Work on developing the resolve to quit smoking one simple day at a time and be patient.

Time, determination and support will help you win this race. Believe that, believe in yourself and be willing to do the work it takes to quit for as long as it takes. You'll find that you can quit smoking, just as others have.

Sources:

National Institutes of Health. Nicotine Oral Inhalation. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a606021.html Accessed August 2010.

Smokefree.gov. Nicotine Inhaler Fact Sheet. http://www.smokefree.gov/mg-nicotine_inhaler.aspx Accessed August 2010.

Pfizer - Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. Nicotrol® Inhaler. http://media.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_nicotrol_inhaler.pdf Accessed August 2010.

View the original article here

The Will to Quit Smoking

A part of me desperately wants to quit smoking, and I know I should quit smoking, but do I feel I must quit. Truthfully, I love smoking, and know that I'll be miserable without my cigarettes. They've become a part of me, and I almost can't bear the thought of giving them up. Yet I know I have to...

Sound familiar? Does your mind bounce back and forth on the issue of smoking cessation? Or do you quit, only to find yourself smoking again within days, or at most, a few weeks? Does your smoking habit make you feel weak? Powerless? Do you wonder if you'll ever find a way to quit smoking for good?

You're not alone.

Nicotine addiction is powerful, and smoking cessation involves a lot of work for most people -- it's not handed to us on a silver platter. You can, however, quit smoking successfully, and the good news is that thousands of people do just that every year. They've found their way out of the prison of nicotine addiction. And most of them thought, just as you do, that they couldn't quit.

How did they do it?

How did they turn a feeling of should into the certainty of must? How did they turn dreams of quitting into a reality in their lives?

While there is no magic bullet that makes smoking cessation easy and pain free, there are steps you can take to develop the commitment necessary to quit smoking permanently.

As smokers, we often think of lighting up as an enjoyable pastime. Cigarettes offer comfort, entertainment and companionship -- or so we think. At the same time, we relate smoking cessation to feelings of pain, misery and sacrifice, and for most of us, these opposing feelings exist and are reinforced on a subconscious level. They're below the surface of our thoughts, and the result is that we adopt unhealthy and inaccurate beliefs as facts of life when in reality they are only our distorted perceptions of the truth.

It’s been said that the average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts a day; a significant percentage of those thoughts are negative and usually directed at ourselves. We're almost always our own worst critics. A first step in successfully developing the will it takes to quit smoking involves learning how to pay attention to what we tell ourselves and correct false statements as soon as they occur. It takes practice and patience, but if you keep at it, listening in consciously on the thoughts that go through your mind on a daily basis will become second nature, as will correcting those that don't serve you.

Just as we condition our bodies to build strength and endurance, conditioning our minds is an exercise in building new associations that will help us put smoking permanently in the past.

Work with the thoughts that don't serve your best interests, and do it as soon as they crop up. Change the language. Restructure your thoughts in terms that will help you. For instance, if you tell yourself: "I won't enjoy the party, because I can't smoke. I'll be miserable and hate every minute of it. In fact, I'm already miserable just thinking about it."What will be the result? At a minimum, you'll feel deprived and unhappy at the party. The stage is set for a smoking relapse, because on a subconscious level, you are giving yourself the message that smoking cessation is a sacrifice. Shift your focus and correct the language by countering with something, such as this: "Going to the party smoke-free will be a challenge, and I may feel uncomfortable, but it will provide me with the practice I need to learn how to live my life without leaning on cigarettes. After all, practice makes perfect. I know these discomforts are a temporary stage of healing from nicotine addiction."Positive self-talk is a stepping stone to positive action. Once you manage the event without smoking, you'll find it easier to believe the positive corrections you're making the next time around.

When you say: "My friends get to smoke; why I can't I?"Remind yourself that your friends don't get to smoke, they have to smoke because they're addicted to nicotine. Give yourself a positive mental cue by counteracting your feelings of self-pity with: "My friends wish they could quit smoking like I have. I remember how desperately I wanted to quit every time I lit up. It was a vicious cycle that I'm free of now."Or when you start reflecting fondly on your old smoking habit with thoughts, such as: "I'm bored without my cigarettes. Life isn't fun without them."Adjust your mind-set by looking at it from another angle: "At 10 minutes smoking time per cigarette, I used to waste nearly 3 hours every single day smoking! It's no wonder I feel a little fidgety and empty. I'll take up a hobby and do something productive with the time I used to spend smoking."And, when you're feeling the discomforts of nicotine withdrawal, be careful to reinforce that the pain you're feeling is because of smoking, not quitting: "I feel so irritable without my smokes. I'm impatient and angry without cigarettes."Reinforce this way: "Cigarettes did this to me. Once I’m free of this addiction, I’m never going back to the slavery that nicotine forced me in to again."Or if you say: "I think about smoking nonstop! My day feels like one long, incessant craving!"Add this statement: "I know that nicotine withdrawal is a temporary phase of the recovery process. The discomforts won't last forever. I'm growing stronger with every smoke-free day."You get the idea. Replace thoughts that don't help you with ones that do. Train yourself to change the way you think and feel about smoking. If you persist and work with yourself enough, consciously trained thoughts will ultimately lead you to a new set of beliefs, and from there, you can make changes that will stick -- permanently.

Quit Aids and Support

Fortify the resolve you're working to build by considering one of the many quit aids available today and by connecting with like-minded people at the About.com Smoking Cessation support forum.

Smoking cessation is a gift that will reward you with benefits far beyond what you can probably imagine, so be patient and do the work to change your mind about smoking. Believe in yourself. You can do it!

View the original article here

Cancer Statistics

When people think of cancers caused by smoking, the first one that comes to mind is always lung cancer. Most cases of lung cancer death, close to 90% in men, and 80% in women are caused by cigarette smoking. There are several other forms of cancer attributed to smoking as well, and they include cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, bladder, stomach, cervix, kidney and pancreas, and acute myeloid leukemia. The list of additives allowed in the manufacture of cigarettes consists of 599 possible ingredients. When burned, cigarette smoke contains over 4000 chemicals, with over 40 of them being known carcinogens. Cancer is the second leading cause of death and was among the first diseases causally linked to smoking. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, and cigarette smoking causes most cases. Compared to nonsmokers, men who smoke are about 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer and women who smoke are about 13 times more likely. Smoking causes about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% in women. In 2003, an estimated 171,900 new cases of lung cancer occurred and approximately 157,200 people died from lung cancer. The 2004 Surgeon General's report adds more evidence to previous conclusions that smoking causes cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, lung and bladder. Cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) in tobacco smoke damage important genes that control the growth of cells, causing them to grow abnormally or to reproduce too rapidly. Cigarette smoking is a major cause of esophageal cancer in the United States. Reductions in smoking and smokeless tobacco use could prevent many of the approximately 12,300 new cases and 12,100 deaths from esophgeal cancer that occur annually. The combination of smoking and alcohol consumption causes most laryngeal cancer cases. In 2003, an estimated 3800 deaths occurred from laryngeal cancer. In 2003, an estimated 57,400 new cases of bladder cancer were diagnosed and an estimated 12,500 died from the disease. For smoking-attributable cancers, the risk generally increases with the number of cigarettes smoked and the number of years of smoking, and generally decreases after quitting completely. Smoking cigarettes that have a lower yield of tar does not substantially reduce the risk for lung cancer. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing mouth cancers. This risk also increases among people who smoke pipes and cigars. Reductions in the number of people who smoke cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and other tobacco products or use smokeless tobacco could prevent most of the estimated 30,200 new cases and 7,800 deaths from oral cavity and pharynx cancers annually in the United States.New cancers confirmed by this report: The 2004 Surgeon General's report newly identifies other cancers caused by smoking, including cancers of the stomach, cervix, kidney, and pancreas and acute myeloid leukemia. In 2003, an estimated 22,400 new cases of stomach cancer were diagnosed, and an estimated 12,100 deaths were expected to occur. Former smokers have lower rates of stomach cancer than those who continue to smoke. For women, the risk of cervical cancer increases with the duration of smoking. In 2003, an estimated 31,900 new cases of kidney cancer were diagnosed, and an estimated 11,900 people died from the disease. In 2003, an estimated 30,700 new cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed, attributing to 30,000 deaths. The median time from diagnosis to death from pancreatic cancer is about 3 months. In 2003, approximately 10,500 cases of acute myeloid leukemia were diagnosed in adults. Benzene is a known cause of acute myleoid leukemia, and cigarette smoke is a major source of benzene exposure. Among U.S. smokers, 90% of benzene exposures come from cigarettes.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and has negative health impacts on people at all stages of life. It harms unborn babies, infants, children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.

View the original article here

Benefits of Quitting Smoking

What happens inside our bodies when we quit using tobacco? Have all of the years of smoking or chewing caused too much damage for quitting to be of any benefit? Not at all. The human body is amazingly resilient.

Within the first 20 minutes of quitting, the healing process begins. The benefits will continue to improve your health and quality of life for years.

Use the links below to read about the physical changes your body will go through when you quit smoking:

Quit Smoking Benefits:

The First Two Days

Two Weeks to Three Months

One to Nine Months

One to Two Years

Long Term Benefits - 5 to 15 Years

Get quitting now: Sign up for a free Quit Smoking e-course to guide you through the process.

View the original article here

Karen's Quit Story

I am proud to say that I have enough experience with life to have learned how to cherish life's little miracles with the same enthusiasm as I do the large.

A miracle, defined in the dictionary as something that defies scientific laws, an event or act that challenges logic, is exactly what I am living.

Today I celebrate the miracle of being a healthy non-smoker. I have accomplished no other deed that compares to this. No other achievement in my life touches the hem of gaining and retaining my life back from the world of the "Smoking section".

There are many many roads to becoming an ex-smoker. Mine was not the straight and narrow nor was my trip the "shortest distance between two points". I took the long way around. Why?, blurred vision, inability to make a commitment?, or plain laziness?. All of the above, plus 3 or 4 less logical excuses assisted my reasoning, which allowed me to continue smoking when I knew that there was no good thing about it.

I won't dwell on my past smoking experiences. I've given enough of my life to a cause whose only return has robbed me of the quality and quantity of time that I may have to spend with my loved ones.

I will clarify, subjectively, the advantages of becoming and remaining a non-smoker.

Children
Anyone that has, loves or wants a child would do himself or herself a huge favor of not smoking. The impression that you make on children by what you do or, more important, don't do is more than you know.

Health
Your health will make or break you, literally. No matter how many old people you see smoking, you will never live to your expectant age if you continue to tell yourself that not every smoker dies early from cancer. The age that you do live to see will not be comfortable or enjoyable.

Time
I once read that smokers are better managers of time than non-smokers. So, I prided myself on being able to plan my next cigarette break before I even finished my current cigarette break, being able to remember to stop between destinations to restock. Progressive? Psychic? Neither, and anyone who still believes that they need a cigarette(a depressant), to figure out life's problems are not using the full capacity of their brain to start with.

Cost
A two-edged sword. I had convinced myself that $3.25 was not a lot to pay for my habit. I never asked anyone to purchase my cigarettes, and it was a small amount when you consider that other ILLEGAL drugs were much more. I work every day, and I am worth a mere $3.25, right? Right, but my life is worth more than that. Plus, I really do notice those extra bills in my pocket.

Smell
I can only laugh at my attempt to conceal the smell of smoke in my hair, clothes, skin, car, house, and mouth. I can now smell smoke from a block away. About the same distance that non-smokers smelt me from, no matter how sweet the perfume, gum or air freshener I used to carry with me at all times.

Making the decision to stop smoking has nothing to do with remaining a non-smoker. Ask any smoker about quitting. It's not the hard part. Remaining a quitter is more than a notion.

A small miracle or a large miracle? I cannot say. I do know that after exhausting all my natural powers, I kept praying for assistance to conquer a habit that half the world considers to be normal and the other half knows by it's true name: an addiction that causes cancer, emphysema, pain, and early death.

Contributed by: ~Karen~
Quit Date: December 15, 1999

View the original article here

Radioactive Cigarette Smoke

© Stockxpert What Lead-210 and Polonium-210 Are:Lead-210 (Pb-210) and polonium-210 (Po-210) are poisonous, radioactive heavy metals that research has shown to be present in tobacco smoke.Where Lead-210 and Polonium-210 Come From:When uranium, an ore that occurs in small amounts in nature, breaks down, radium is released as radon gas into the atmosphere. Once that occurs, radon gas decays quickly, producing lead-210 (Pb-210) and polonium-210 (Po-210), highly radioactive metals (known as radon decay products). Radium is also present in phosphate fertilizers that are often used in tobacco farming.How Lead-210 and Polonium-210 Get Into Tobacco:As the radium in soil around tobacco plants releases radon gas, and ultimately, the tiny lead and polonium particles float free, they attach to bits of dust and are carried to the surface of tobacco leaves. And because tobacco leaves are covered with thousands of fine hairs, these radioactive chemicals grab hold and stay put -- from the field all of the way to the smoker's lungs.

Why?

Lead-210 and polonium-210 are insoluble in water, so they are not removed during the cleaning and cigarette manufacturing process.

What Happens When a Smoker Inhales Radioactive Metals:As a smoker breathes in cigarette smoke, lead-210 and polonium-210 "stick" to the cigarette tar that collects at the junctions of air passages within the lungs called bronchioles. Studies have shown that lead-210 and polonium-210 build up at these locations within smoker's lungs and over time produce radioactive hot spots. Health Risks Associated with Lead-210 and Polonium-210:Inhaling lead-210 and polonium-210 increases the risk for lung cancer. In fact, because the build up of radiation a person receives over many years of smoking can be huge, researchers feel that lead-210 and polonium-210 in cigarette smoke are significant factors for lung cancer in smokers.Lead-210 and polonium-210 are toxic, radioactive heavy metals that are present in inhaled cigarette smoke. They build up over time in delicate lung tissue and are a key risk factor for lung cancer. Further, these toxins are just two of the hundreds of poisonous and/or carcinogenic chemicals present in cigarette smoke. Smoking offers you nothing other than disease and ultimately -- death.

Quit smoking now.

More on the Chemicals in Cigarette Smoke:Cigarette smoke is a toxic cocktail of more than 4,000 chemicals, including 200 poisonous and 40 carcinogenic compounds. Resources to Help You Quit Smoking:Learn what you can expect when you quit smoking and how to minimize the discomforts associated with nicotine withdrawal. The links below will help you get started. if(zSbL

View the original article here

Teen Smoking Facts

Parents are the single biggest influence in their children’s lives. Use your voice and let your kids know that smoking is bad news. Your teens may seem to be tuning you out and accuse you of lecturing, but they are listening. Discuss the dangers of teen smoking with them early and often.

The smoking facts in this article have been compiled with teens in mind. Arm yourself with knowledge and information that will get your child’s attention.

The ingredients and additives in cigarettes when burned, create toxic, harmful chemical compounds. There are over 4000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, and more than 40 of them are known carcinogens.

Smokers inhale some pretty disgusting things with every puff: Tar Yes, the same thing they use to pave streets and driveways. Ever notice how smoker’s teeth are yellow? Tar is responsible for that.Hydrogen Cyanide This chemical is used to kill rats and it was used during WWII as a genocidal agent. Smokers inhale it with every puff.Benzene This chemical is used in manufacturing gasoline.Acetone It’s in nail polish remover and it’s in cigarettes.Formaldehyde This is what they use to preserve dead bodies. It’s also used as an industrial fungicide, is a disinfectant, and is used in glues and adhesives.Ammonia We use this chemical to clean our houses.And of course, there is Nicotine, the drug responsible for an addiction that smokers spend years and years trying to break.

Secondhand Smoke Facts
Cigarette smoke is full of harmful chemicals. Breathing in secondhand smoke is harmful for smokers and nonsmokers alike. Smokers suffer a double dose though, increasing the destructive effects of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke kills about 3,000 nonsmokers each year from lung cancer. Secondhand smoke causes 30 times as many lung cancer deaths as all regulated pollutants combined. Secondhand smoke causes up to 300,000 lung infections (such as pneumonia and bronchitis) in infants and young children each year. Secondhand smoke causes wheezing, coughing, colds, earaches, and asthma attacks. Secondhand smoke can produce six times the pollution of a busy highway when in a crowded restaurant. Secondhand smoke fills the air with many of the same poisons found in the air around toxic waste dumps.Other facts about smoking: Every day in the United States alone, approximately 3,000 kids under the age of 18 start smoking. Every day 1,200 Americans die from smoking-related illnesses. Teen smokers get sick more often than teens who don’t smoke. Teen smokers have smaller lungs and weaker hearts than teens who don’t smoke. Teen smokers are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs. Addicted smokers tend to use more nicotine over time. The habit usually grows. What starts out as 5 or 10 cigarettes a day usually becomes a pack or two a day habit eventually. It is estimated that approximately 4.5 million adolescents in the United States are smokers. Spit tobacco, pipes and cigars are not safe alternatives to cigarettes. “Light” or “low-tar” cigarettes aren’t safe either. Those who start smoking young are more likely to have a long-term addiction to nicotine than people who start smoking later in life. Smoking-related illnesses claim more American lives than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide and illegal drugs combined.(1) People who smoke a pack a day die on average 7 years earlier than people who have never smoked. Smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death in the United States.(2)Be proactive! Give your children a solid anti-smoking foundation that will help them resist outside influences encouraging them to smoke as they go through their formative years. It’s up to us as parents to do all that we can to protect our kids from the dangers that tobacco use presents. Education about nicotine addiction is the best place to start.

1. American Cancer Society, Cigarette Smoking, 2002
2. U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Preventing Tobacco Use among Young People, A Report of the Surgeon General, 1994
Other facts and figures for this article obtained from: www.4women.gov and www.cdc.gov

View the original article here