Avoid Smoking Cigarette
contains chemical such as tar, carbon monoxide and nicotine. The prime ingredients,
tar and carbon monoxide are instigators of cardiovascular diseases and lung ailments.
The cigarette's third main component, nicotine, affects the heart, lungs and stomach.
There is definite evidence that this chemical effects the brain adversely in various
ways.
Effects of Smoking
| Smoking and tobacco-related health complications are the
single largest cause of preventable, premature death. Estimates are clearing
that cigarettes are responsible for over 400,000 deaths each year. Smoking causes
a significant increase in the risk for cancer (lung, larynx, esophagus), chronic
bronchitis, and emphysema as well as diseases of the heart and coronary arteries.
In addition, smoking is a major contributory factor in the development of
many other cancers. |
Beware....
A
smoke can cost the life of a loved one.
Prolonged 'Passive Smoking' is
known to cause lung cancer in a 'non-smoker'.
Stop Smoking, don't delay
it... |
| Chewing
tobacco and using snuff also dramatically increase your risk for cancers of the
mouth and throat. A smokers baby is more likely to be a victim of cot death and,
in childhood, suffers more respiratory infections, glue ear and asthma. |
Smokers can successfully quit if they understand how to deal with
their nicotine addiction, learn a relaxation technique to cope with their stress,
get support from health professionals, family and friends and are able to change
the behaviour and habits that are associated with smoking. Most long-term smokers
are addicted to nicotine and will experience a craving to smoke and withdrawal
symptoms when they try to stop smoking. Such individuals find it very difficult
to give up their smoking habit. They, with the help of health professionals can
make use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to quit smoking. But the majority
of smokers can give up without any help from health professionals or drug therapy.
Top
| Prepare mentally before you stop smoking and understand
what to expect. - Make a resolution to give up smoking.
- Think
about why you want to quit and the benefits of quitting.
- Set a definite
time to quit. Let it be today not the next day!
- Think ahead, how
you are going to cope with craving or withdrawal symptoms you may experience.
- Visualise
a change in your usual routine to avoid temptation and high-risk situations.
- Get
all the support you can, from your loved ones.
- Understand that breaking
habits take time and need regular practice.
- Be aware that there will be
a constant temptation to go back and chances of a relapse. Think about the effort
that has already been put in and don't look back.
|
| When
you feel a craving to smoke... - Call or e-mail a friend
-
Go for a brisk walk
- Take a hot bath or shower
- Chew on something
or eat a healthy snack
- Drink a glass of water or milk
-
Go to the gym or the pool.
- Avoid such situations and certain people,
who give you a temptation to smoke
- Go for a play or sporting event
- Buy
a bouquet of flowers and really enjoy their fragrance
- Throw out all the
reminders of cigarettes, especially lighters and ashtrays.
|
| The good news is that once you quit, your body
begins healing itself almost immediately. This includes a reduction in your risk
for cancer, heart attack, and stroke. If you also begin exercising and eating
better, the improvements will be even more dramatic. There are many benefits of
quitting smoke like more stamina for work and play, Whiter teeth and fresher breath,
Decreasing risk of serious illnesses and saving your money. The longer
you don't use tobacco, the more your confidence will grow and the less likely
you are to slip back to your old habits...
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