Did you know that every minute, seven people die from tobacco use? Did you know that most of the adults that smoke now, smoke because they saw their parents smoke?
Did you know that even though you don’t smoke in front of your children or in the house, they are still inhaling second hand smoke?
How about this, every time you inhale, you are taking in 43 types of carcinogenics plus 4,000 toxins into your lungs and body?
Does it scare you to know that our youth feels it is cool to smoke and do everything possible to get their hands on a pack of cigarettes? The cost imposed by smokers on the U.S. economy is over $150 billion a year, money that could be spent elsewhere. Yet with all this information and so much more at your fingertips, it doesn’t seem to dissuade you from stopping this nasty habit.
The tobacco industry is one of the largest ones around the world and even though lately they have had to shell out money for lawsuits, they still continue to grow. Why, because people just won’t quit smoking. The tobacco companies spend billions of dollars in advertising and they are targeting our youth, the minorities and women. At least 4,000 teenagers below the age of 18 have their first taste of a cigarette. That is 730,000 new smokers a year. Each year the number of smokers grows and at an alarming rate.
Amongst the 8th grade African-Americans, smoking increased by 4.3%, 12th graders by 6%. Hispanics are loyal to name brands, so they target Hispanic communities, especially those with low incomes. Smoking in young girls and women increased greatly in the 1990’s. It is noted that lung cancer is the leading cause of death amongst young women; it has increased 400% in the past 20 years.
What makes it worst is you are aware of these statistics, you smoke anyways and say no big deal I am not harming anyone but myself. Guess what, that is not true. Many today suffer from lung cancer or other lung problems and never have smoke a cigarette in their life. This is all due to second hand smoke. What you have to remember is this, if you don’t care about putting your life at risk, do you care that you put others at risk? How much do you really love your husband or wife, your children, friends, etc? If you won’t do it for yourself, how about those around you, those that love you and need you, why not quit for their sake.
People use different excuses as to why they can’t quit smoking. Below you will read several of them. The one thing that is 100% true is that if you want to quit smoking you can. For some, the first time around, they quit. For others, it may take a few attempts but you can do it. It is a matter of really wanting to do this. Think about it, it will definitely be beneficial to you and those around you to stop.
I CAN QUIT ANYTIME I WANT
To be honest, it is true, it’s not that simple. Cigarettes have one of the most addictive substances on the face of this earth, nicotine. When you smoke, the chemicals go straight to your lungs and brain and stimulate the production of dopamine. This chemical that is released is what makes you feel happy when you smoke. Many feel that smoking gives them more energy, curbs your appetite, etc. What you don’t realize is that to keep feeling this way you will have to continue to smoke more and more. So when you decide to quit, it is not as easy as 1-2-3 I quit. It shows that more than 35 million people that try to quit smoking up smoking again. Reason is that they feel cranky, mood, suffer from headaches and strong cravings. Out of these 35 million people only 2.5 million people quit smoking. It may take you several attempts but you can do it. Studies show that joining support groups and/or using nicotine replacement (patches or gum) can help you quit. Don’t you want to try? I am sure those that love you would like to have you around for a longer period of time.
LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE/IMPROVES MOOD
When this started no one knows but many believe that when they smoke they actually lower their blood pressure. Guess what, not true. In fact, a group of scientists did a study on a 135 people who had never been diagnosed with high blood pressure and were considered healthy. After they took their blood pressure, the scientist found that those with high blood pressure smoke or chewed tobacco. Others believe that smoking can calm them down, lift their mood, this is another myth. In actuality if you are already down or depressed, smoking can actually put you at a higher risk for clinical depression or hyperactivity. This is something that is even more of a concern in teenagers because if they are depressed and they smoke, it will be four times worst.
LUNG CANCER IS THE ONLY DISEASE
Since most ads against smoking speak of lung cancer, many believe this is the only illness they have to worry about. This is another myth. There are many more diseases and just as severe. You may not suffer from lung cancer but you can suffer from illnesses such as emphysema, bronchitis, reduction of lung functions, severe coughs, etc. Besides this, if it wasn’t enough to worry about, there is the risk of heart disease, cancer of the mouth, larynx, and esophagus. You will also have to worry about cancer in the pancreas, kidneys, and bladder and in women cancer of the cervix. Nicotine also affects the bones and joints. It causes osteoporosis and osteopenia increasing the chance of fractures and tissue injuries. For those women who are trying to conceive, smoking can actually cause infertility. If you smoke while pregnant, it has been scientifically proven to cause miscarriages, complications with pregnancy and early menopause. Women are not the only ones that have to worry about infertility so do men. It causes sperm abnormality leading to infertility. It can also cause impotence in a man. As you can see you have so much to worry about. Smoking does more damage to the body then you thought; it affects so many important vital organs that you need to survive and live a long life.
HYGIENE
There is nothing more repulsive than the idea of kissing a person who smokes or chews tobacco. This will make a normal persons stomach churn. No matter how attractive you are, great personality you have, etc, once a person sees you light up that cigarette they are gone. Smoking stains your teeth, causes very bad breath, mouth sores and receding gums. Not only that but the smell sticks to your hands, clothes and hair. Your nails turn yellow and so do your fingertips. After smoking for so many years, you lose your taste buds. You won’t be able to tell a good meal from a bad one. Also, if you are into keeping up your appearance, looking young and sexy smoking is not the way to do it. Smoking actually accelerates aging; it breaks down the collagen that keeps your skin soft and supple. It limits the supply of oxygen to your skin. Plus when you smoke you tend to you squint your eyes and pucker your lips more often, causing your face to wrinkle even more. Expect to look at least 10 to 20 years more than you really are. Just take a look at yourself in the mirror and see what everyone sees, maybe this could be your incentive if the list of illnesses doesn’t do it for you. A poll was taken where it showed that 86% would rather date a non-smoker than a smoker.
I’LL GAIN WEIGHT
It is true that many smokers gain weight when they quit smoking. What happens is that many people replace smoking with eating. Gaining weight does not have to happen. When you quit smoking, exercise, this will help you prevent weight gain and also increase your lung capacity. Another way to prevent weight gain is by chewing gum, chewing on a straw, doodling or breathing deeply, sort of like meditation. In some cases, it was found that counseling, talking about your desire to eat and why, actually curbs the appetite and controlled the weight gain. So that you won’t be too scared, the most that is gained is 5 to 10 pounds which is actually not too hard to lose. All it takes is a little discipline, nothing more.
LOW TAR/FILTERED/MENTHOL
Ok so you believe that if you smoke low tar cigarettes like Virginia slim lights or Marlboro lights you are getting less nicotine in your body which means less chances of getting any type of disease. Same goes with the filtered cigarettes and menthols. First of all, studies show that those that smoke low tar cigarettes, actually smoke more, trying to get the full effect of smoking. The fact that the cigarette is filtered does not mean you have any type of protection, you don’t. Nicotine and other dangerous chemicals still get through, harming your body no matter what. Also, when smoking low tar, researchers found that they inhale more deeply, trying to pull it all in. So just because you smoke low tar, menthols, filtered or fewer cigarettes a day, this does not, in any way, prevent you from any illnesses. You are always at risk when smoking or chewing tobacco.
There are many more dangers to smoking or chewing tobacco. The list is long and to be honest, quite frightening. To think of the risk you are placing yourself in. Not only that but risking the health of those that you love and innocent people with second hand smoke. Another scary thought is that smoking can also lead to the use of other types of drugs, marijuana, cocaine, drinking, etc. Many say that at one time or another, smoking or chewing tobacco was not enough they need a little more to keep the edge on. This is definitely not a good thing.
Nowadays the medical cost have skyrocketed due to tobacco-related illnesses and complicated pregnancies. The cost has affected our national economy. Due to this, it has placed a burden on those that don’t smoke because the insurance rates keep going up and up. What we do today, we will have to deal with tomorrow. The illnesses that come with this horrible habit are cruel and long. The treatments are strong and harsh. If that isn’t enough, think of the the pain and suffering you put yourself through and those you love, is it really worht it?
Have you seen how people have throat or mouth cancer and have to eat and drink through a hole in their throat? How those that go through cancer treatment become frail and thin. The fact that it becomes harder and harder to take a breath that they have to walk with oxygen tanks. If you smoke during your pregnancy, knowing your child was born with birth defects that you could have prevented. Does any of this get to you, it has to affect you some way or another.
You know, those that are brain washed have to be taken away from whatever group they are in and be re-acquainted by their families and friends. It’s not an easy task but it can be done. They use different techniques, including showing them what those groups really are. Eventually they do wake up, very few ever go back or fall prey to that again. Well, many believe that this should be done to smokers, sort of a wakeup call. What if you were in a room, day in and day out, with a person suffering from lung cancer or throat cancer? Having to take care of them all the time, hearing their coughs, their cries for help, watching them wither away, would that wake you up? How about seeing an actual lung, how black and destroyed it is from years of smoking, will that work?
Sometimes what they say is true, only when it hits close to home do people decide to change. Only problem with this is that it would be sad to wait that long, it could be too late. I ask you, is it worth it, that puff of smoke? You have so much to lose by smoking and so much to gain by quitting. There is no need to do a pros and con list, just the facts alone show it.
If you smoke and find it hard to quit, I bet if you ask those around you, they will be more than willing to help you quit. They will support you, work with you and stand by your side. It’s selfish to believe that just because you enjoy smoking they should bear it. Its one thing to want to destroy yourself and it’s another to do that to an innocent bystander. Take the time to read up on the dangers of smoking. Maybe a few graphic and honest videos can wake you up. Try something but please quit smoking. It’s time to put the tobacco industry out of business, if not for your sake, then for the children.