With the cigarette in your hand

“With the cigarette my hand I felt like a man” a line made famous not only the by the popular anti-smoking ad that hit national TV in the late 90’s but also as an effective technique used by tobacco companies. Smoking today is a lifestyle statement, many of those who try smoking for the first time get addicted to this lethal and slow killer.

Historically Smoking

Smoking simply defined is an act of inhaling the smoke of burning dried or cured leaves of the tobacco plant for pleasure. A common practice among Native Americans, it was later introduced by European explorers to the rest of the world. Smoking tobacco can be traced back to thousands of years. Tobacco products were compulsorily included in military rations during World War I. later cigarette smoking became socially acceptable for women was advertised as an attractive carefree lifestyle product, It was in the 1930s, that the possibility of tobacco being injurious to health drew concern from Nazi medical and military leaders and their scientists were the first to confirm this link. It was in the year 1938, that Raymond Pearl a biologist in the United States, who confirmed the ill health effects of tobacco smoking. In 1950s and 1960s, the medical society along with various governmental bodies, and Readers Digest magazine, began an anti-smoking campaign by showing its hazardous effects to human health. Although tobacco smoking in many regions of the world has dropped dramatically in recent years, worldwide tobacco production is still growing. Smoking rates continue to remain relatively high in some Asian countries.

Risking it…

The burning of any substance creates polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and while smoking, it is particularly benzopyrene that causes the damage, when inhaled it mixes with oxygen thus producing an epoxide, which permanently distorts the DNA, which increases the risk to cancer. Hence the risk of a person contracting a disease is directly proportional to the length of time as well as the amount of smoke consumed by that the person. A study in the United Kingdom that lasted over 50 years showed that nonsmokers lived about 12 to 15 years more than the smokers. The main health risks in tobacco pertain to diseases of the cardiovascular system, in particular smoking being a major risk factor for a myocardial infarction (heart attack), diseases of the respiratory tract such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and emphysema, and cancer, particularly lung cancer and cancers of the larynx and tongue. One of the primary reasons of not quitting the habit of smoking is the addiction to a substance called nicotine; which is a powerful, addictive stimulant and is one of the main factors leading to the continued tobacco smoking. Although the amount of nicotine inhaled with tobacco smoke is quite small it is still sufficient to cause physical and/or psychological dependence and many a times even despite knowing how hazardous smoking can be; many smokers continue to smoke only because of their addiction. Passive smoking is another form of smoking, which can defined as the smoke inhaled by non-smokers due to the company or the presence of smokers in their surrounding environment. Passives smoking can be fatal as smoking as the smoke inhaled is carcinogenic and contains harmful toxic components present in second-hand smoke. Many a times for non fault of their passive smoke pay a price the smoker is responsible for.

Quit Smoking before life quits you

There are many a reasons as to why you can quit the so called habit, they are very astonishing, but trust me they are real:

• Quitting smoking changes your life thoroughly – The food you eat will smell and taste better. The foul odour in breath will vanish so will your common cough and cold. This will work for men anIyd women of all ages even those who already have a disease or condition caused by smoking.
• By quitting smoking you can cut the risk of lung cancer, many other cancers, heart disease, stroke, other lung diseases, and other respiratory illnesses tremendously and live a much healthier life.

• It has been proved that the ex-smokers are much healthier than current smokers; they have quick recoveries during illness and lesser health complaints as compared to smokers.

• By quitting the killer stick, you will notice a big financial impact, an average smoker who smokes a pack a day spends roughly about Rs. 40/- per pack which translates into Rs. 14,000/- per year. Imagine the amount of money already spent blown into smoke.

• The latest studies have shown that every cigarette smoked shortens life by approx 8 minutes a real waste of time.

• If the above reasons don’t make sense then at least think about others like family members, coworkers and others who breathe the smoker's cigarette smoke, called secondhand smoke, passive smoking can be detrimental.

‘Precaution is better then cure’ so let the New Year 2007 be a year of change to all smokers instead of waiting till you get affected, its time to say goodbye top those killer cancer sticks. Supremacy gives you a pointer plan to kicking the habit, however we recommend you consult your personal or family physician before you use the plan.

Keys for Quitting Smoking

They are famously know as the five keys to quit smoking, studies have shown that these keys will help you quit and not just quit, but will help you quit for good. But the most important key to the whole program is you and there is no substitute to you, its all in your hands. So arm up and get ready to say adieus to smoking. The following are the five keys to quit smoking.

1. The First Step

• Decide from when you want to quit, choose a date and remember it just like you would in the case of a birthday or anniversary.
• Get a makeover of you environment; Get rid of ALL cigarettes, ashtrays and any other stimulants that will tempt you to smoke in your home, car, and place of work also don't let people smoke around you.
• Do a thorough review of your past attempts to quit and jot down what worked and what did not and like wise come up with a plan to deal with cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and times when you usually smoke a cigarette.
• Once you quit, don't smoke—NOT EVEN A PUFF!

2. Sustain your effort.

Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help. In your endeavour to quit the habit you can seek help from those around you.

• Inform your family, friends, and co-workers that you’ve quit and want their support in order to sustain your effort. Request them not to smoke near you or leave cigarettes where you can see them.
• Get counseling it can be individual, group or telephonic. Counseling doubles your chances of success.
• The more help you have, the better your chances are of quitting. They are Free programs that are available at local hospitals and health centers. These are run either by local authorities or NGO’s and can be of great help.

3. Change your old ways.

• Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task.
• When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.
• Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book.
• Plan something enjoyable to do every day.
• Drink a lot of water and other fluids.

4. Medication- a boon to Mankind.

If properly used and under supervision from certified physicians, medications can help you not only to stop smoking but also lessen the urge to smoke.

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved medications to help you quit smoking some of which are available over the counter and the others by prescription.
• Medications will in most cases double your chances of quitting the habit for good.
• Nearly everyone who is trying to quit can benefit from using a medication..
  
  

5. The other side.

Many a times, cases of relapses occur within the first three months after quitting. Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit. The following are some difficult situations you may encounter:

• Alcohol & Other Smokers. Avoid drinking alcohol and being around other smoker as these can lower your chances of quitting as they are stimulants to smoking.
• Weight Gain. Many smokers will gain some weight when they quit, this happens due to the metabolic change in the body. Maintaining a healthy diet and staying active is important. Don’t let weight gain distract you from your main goal—which is quitting smoking for good.
• Bad Mood or Depression. There are a lot of ways to improve your mood other than smoking. Some quit-smoking medications also lessen depression.

Finally, when you’ve quit the habit don’t just be happy for yourself but for others too, because by kicking the habit you will make life not just better for yourself, but for others too. Remember the cigarette is not a cool fashion statement and it will not make you feel like a man, instead the end will be just like the famous 90’s anti smoking advertisement “with the cigarette in your hand, you’ll end up being a DEADMAN”.